Top 10 Common Sports Injuries and How Physical Therapy Can Help

Whether you’re a weekend warrior, student athlete, or fitness enthusiast, sports injuries can happen when you least expect them. From minor strains to serious ligament tears, these injuries can disrupt your training and daily life. The good news? With the right physical therapy, you can recover faster, prevent re-injury, and return to doing what you love—safely and confidently.

At Emery Physical Therapy, we specialize in helping athletes of all levels recover from injuries and regain strength, flexibility, and mobility. Let’s take a look at the top 10 most common sports injuries and how physical therapy can help you heal.

1. Sprains and Strains

Sprains (ligament injuries) and strains (muscle or tendon injuries) are among the most frequent sports-related issues. They often occur from overstretching, twisting, or improper warm-ups.

How PT Helps:
A physical therapist will guide you through gentle range-of-motion exercises, progressive strengthening, and balance training to restore stability and prevent future sprains. They’ll also teach you proper warm-up and movement techniques to reduce re-injury risk.

2. ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Tear

An ACL tear is one of the most feared knee injuries, especially in sports like basketball, soccer, and skiing. It usually occurs from sudden stops, pivots, or awkward landings.

How PT Helps:
Post-injury or post-surgery, physical therapy focuses on restoring knee strength, balance, and stability. Therapists use a combination of neuromuscular re-education, strength training, and manual therapy to help you safely return to sport.

3. Runner’s Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)

Runner’s knee causes pain around the kneecap, often due to overuse, poor alignment, or muscle imbalances.

How PT Helps:
A physical therapist will assess your movement patterns and design a program that strengthens the quadriceps, glutes, and hips while improving alignment and flexibility. Taping techniques and gait retraining may also be used to reduce pain and correct movement patterns.

4. Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Despite its name, tennis elbow can affect anyone who performs repetitive arm motions—like golfers, baseball players, and even desk workers.

How PT Helps:
Therapists use manual therapy, eccentric strengthening, and ultrasound or shockwave therapy to promote healing and reduce inflammation. You’ll also learn how to modify your activities and improve technique to avoid recurrence.

5. Rotator Cuff Injury

The rotator cuff muscles stabilize your shoulder joint. Overuse or acute trauma can cause tears or inflammation, leading to pain and limited motion.

How PT Helps:
Your therapist will use targeted exercises to rebuild shoulder stability, improve posture, and strengthen surrounding muscles. Manual therapy and soft tissue mobilization can help relieve pain and restore range of motion.

6. Shin Splints

Shin splints often occur in runners or athletes who rapidly increase training intensity. They cause pain along the shinbone due to inflammation of muscles and tendons.

How PT Helps:
Physical therapy focuses on lower leg strengthening, stretching tight calf muscles, and correcting foot mechanics. Custom orthotics or footwear recommendations may also be part of your treatment plan.

7. Hamstring Strain

Hamstring injuries often result from sprinting or sudden bursts of movement. The pain can range from mild tightness to a full tear.

How PT Helps:
Physical therapists use a gradual strengthening and stretching program to promote tissue healing. They also assess your running form and flexibility to correct any contributing imbalances.

8. Achilles Tendonitis

This overuse injury causes pain and stiffness in the back of the ankle, often from repetitive jumping or running on hard surfaces.

How PT Helps:
Therapists use eccentric calf exercises, manual therapy, and shockwave or ultrasound treatments to promote tendon healing. You’ll also learn proper footwear and training adjustments to reduce strain on the Achilles.

9. Groin Pull

A groin pull, or adductor strain, commonly affects athletes in soccer, hockey, or basketball—sports that require quick side-to-side movements.

How PT Helps:
Physical therapy restores flexibility and strength to the inner thigh muscles while addressing any hip or core imbalances. Therapists also guide a safe return-to-play plan to avoid re-injury.

10. Ankle Fractures and Post-Fracture Rehab

After an ankle fracture, stiffness, weakness, and loss of balance are common even after the bone heals.

How PT Helps:
Physical therapy helps you regain ankle motion, rebuild strength, and retrain your balance. Your therapist may use manual joint mobilization, resistance exercises, and functional movement training to help you walk, run, and jump again safely.

The Role of Physical Therapy in Sports Injury Prevention

Physical therapy isn’t just for recovery—it’s also a powerful tool for injury prevention. By identifying muscle imbalances, improper movement patterns, and flexibility limitations, a PT can create a customized exercise plan to enhance performance and reduce your risk of injury.

At Emery Physical Therapy, we use a combination of:

• Movement assessments to detect early warning signs

• Strength and flexibility training for injury prevention

• Sport-specific rehab programs to improve technique and endurance

• Education on body mechanics and recovery strategies

Why Choose Emery Physical Therapy

At Emery Physical Therapy, we believe every athlete deserves personalized, evidence-based care. Our team uses advanced techniques and technology to help you recover quickly, safely, and confidently. Whether you’re rehabbing from surgery or trying to stay active pain-free, we’ll guide you every step of the way.

Don’t let pain sideline your goals. Schedule an appointment with Emery Physical Therapy today and take the first step toward getting back in the game stronger than ever.