Soccer is one of the most physically demanding sports a person can play. Scanning the field, marking your opponent, and moving the ball down the pitch is hard enough without pain and injuries getting in the way. Unfortunately, sudden trauma and chronic injuries can take anywhere from two to six weeks to heal—and could cause long-lasting restrictions that affect your future performance.
SPARK Physiotherapy’s soccer program provides game-specific evaluation and physical therapy to help you meet your on-the-pitch goals. Please fill out our online contact form to learn more about our soccer physical therapy and conditioning program.
Rehabilitation for Common Soccer Injuries
We know what it’s like to live on the field. From the moment you are evaluated, we are thinking about how we can help you meet your goals and give your body the edge it needs to handle the demands of the sport. Whether you are recovering from an injury or preparing for a tournament, we have you covered.
We help soccer players prevent and recover from a variety of injuries, including:
- Hamstring strains. The most common muscle injury in soccer involves the hamstrings due to high-speed running and hyperextension of the leg when kicking. Athletes who experience a hamstring strain are likely to suffer a re-injury within a year of returning to play—and the second injury is typically more severe than the first. We condition both the quads and the hamstrings to control kicking motions, preventing over-stretching of the hamstrings properly.
- ACL injuries. Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can happen upon contact with another player. Still, most are caused by non-contact trauma, such as twisting the knee inward by shifting the body’s weight too far to one side or pivoting on a planted foot. Knee injuries must be treated carefully and adequately strengthened to avoid permanent damage.
- Ankle sprains. The ankle is involved in about a quarter of soccer injuries, particularly lateral ankle sprains when a player cuts, lands from a jump, regains balance, or changes speed or direction. We help with balance retraining, range of motion, calf strengthening, and prevention of compensatory injuries in the opposite ankle.
- Hip adductor injuries. Hip injuries are common in players with unequal strength in the hip adductor and hip abductor muscles. We focus on strengthening and stabilizing the joint and preventing groin strains from compensation.
- Quadricep strains. While a soccer player’s quadriceps are often well-developed, they can still be injured during sprints, kicking motions, and overuse in training. Only proper strengthening and flexibility techniques can prevent quadricep pain and future strains.
Personalized Soccer Physical Therapy and Conditioning
If you’re struggling with a physical limitation, you don’t need the added strain of creating and perfecting a conditioning program. Fortunately, our therapists and trainers have already created an analysis and recovery regimen specifically to benefit soccer players.
Our sports medicine and physical conditioning experience includes:
- Soccer-specific evaluation of speed, agility, strength, and power
- Sports physical therapy techniques to restore pain-free movements
- Injury and surgical rehabilitation to regain balance and range of motion
- Biomechanical corrections to maximize speed and minimize the risk of injury
- A customized strength and flexibility program specific to you
- Weekly training schedules and progression to give you that extra boost
Set Up Your Soccer Assessment Today
SPARK Physiotherapy offers personalized soccer rehab and team training programs to take your game to the next level. Contact us today to get started, or call 703-329-0181 to learn more.
