Physical Therapy for Youth Athletes: Building Strength, Preventing Injury
Youth sports are more competitive than ever. While training hard is essential, it’s just as important to train smart—especially when it comes to injury prevention and long-term athletic development.
At Emery Physical Therapy, we specialize in helping youth athletes of all skill levels stay strong, agile, and injury-free. Whether your child plays soccer, basketball, baseball, gymnastics, or another sport, our evidence-based physical therapy programs are designed to optimize performance while reducing injury risks.
Why Young Athletes Need Physical Therapy
You might think physical therapy is only for adults recovering from injury—but it plays a vital role in youth sports development, too.
Common challenges in youth athletes:
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Overuse injuries from year-round training
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Poor movement mechanics or posture
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Muscle imbalances from early sport specialization
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Growth-related pain and coordination issues
In fact, over 3.5 million sports injuries occur in children each year in the U.S., many of which are preventable with the right training and support.
How Physical Therapy Helps Youth Athletes Excel
At Emery Physical Therapy, our team uses a customized, athlete-focused approach to help young athletes:
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Improve performance
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Prevent injuries
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Recover faster when setbacks happen
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Build lifelong healthy movement habits
Here’s how we do it:
1️⃣ Comprehensive Movement Screenings
We start with a detailed assessment of each athlete’s:
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Strength
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Flexibility
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Balance
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Joint mobility
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Functional movement patterns
This allows us to identify any weaknesses, imbalances, or faulty mechanics before they turn into injuries.
We also track progress over time so athletes and parents can see improvements in performance and injury resilience.
2️⃣ Strength & Conditioning Programs for Youth
Building strength safely is key—especially during periods of rapid growth. We design age-appropriate, sport-specific programs that include:
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Core stability exercises
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Bodyweight strength training
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Plyometric drills (jumping, landing, change of direction)
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Resistance training with proper form and supervision
Our goal isn’t just short-term performance—it’s helping kids build a strong, injury-resistant foundation for the future.
3️⃣ Flexibility & Mobility Training
Tight muscles and limited range of motion are common in growing bodies. We incorporate:
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Dynamic warm-ups
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Functional stretching
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Mobility drills for hips, shoulders, ankles, and spine
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Foam rolling and recovery education
This helps athletes move freely, perform better, and recover faster after practices or games.
4️⃣ Injury Prevention & Return-to-Sport Training
We treat and prevent common youth sports injuries such as:
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ACL sprains
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Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee)
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Ankle sprains
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Little League shoulder/elbow
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Severs disease and Osgood-Schlatter
If your child is returning to play after an injury or surgery, we follow sports-specific rehab protocols to get them back safely, including:
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Movement retraining
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Progressive loading
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Sport drills and reconditioning
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Psychological readiness assessments
✅ We also educate athletes and parents on how to train smart and listen to their bodies—especially during growth spurts.
5️⃣ Sport-Specific Performance Coaching
Beyond injury recovery, we help young athletes:
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Improve agility and quickness
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Increase speed and endurance
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Enhance body control and coordination
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Build explosive strength for jumping, sprinting, or swinging
We tailor these sessions for different sports—whether it’s refining a gymnast’s landing mechanics, improving a pitcher’s shoulder stability, or enhancing a soccer player’s acceleration.
Why Parents Trust Emery Physical Therapy
At Emery Physical Therapy, we know how much you care about your child’s health and future. Our team is passionate about helping young athletes perform at their best—safely and confidently.
What makes us different:
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Licensed physical therapists with sports rehab expertise
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Personalized 1-on-1 sessions—no cookie-cutter programs
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A welcoming, kid-friendly environment
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Clear communication with parents, coaches, and physicians
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Two convenient locations: Mt. Prospect and Oakbrook Terrace, IL
We focus on building strong, confident, resilient athletes who enjoy the game—and stay in it longer.
📞 Ready to Support Your Athlete’s Growth?
Whether your child is recovering from an injury or wants to improve performance and avoid one, physical therapy at Emery Physical Therapy is the smart step forward.
📱 Call us today at (847) 786-2014
📍 Serving youth athletes in Mt. Prospect, Oakbrook Terrace, and surrounding areas
🌐 Book your athlete’s evaluation online
Let’s work together to build strength, boost performance, and protect your young athlete from preventable injuries.