Have you ever wondered how sports medicine and rehabilitation could improve your athletic performance? Residents of Bayonne, NJ, should look no further than Twin Boro Physical Therapy to be connected with a skilled sports medicine expert.
For over 40 years, Twin Boro Physical Therapy has been helping athletes of all ages and skill levels both prevent and recover from injuries. We pride ourselves on paying attention to the latest scientific discoveries in sports medicine so we can continually update and implement evidence-based methods. It is this dedication to continual improvement, combined with state-of-the-art facilities and an experienced staff that has led us to be voted the best private physical therapy practice in New Jersey.
What is the Most Popular Low-Impact Activity?
Swimming! Over 1 million people per year in the United States choose swimming as their athletic activity of choice. Swimming is a great way to maintain endurance and full-body fitness without high levels of impact that can wear on the joints. However, if swimming is your exercise of choice, it is important to follow a few key tips to reduce the risk of injury:
- Strengthen shoulder muscles, especially the rotator cuff stabilizing muscles, to prevent injury
- Strengthen the core to prevent back injuries
- Take downtime between sessions and never push through pain
- Consult with a professional to ensure you are maintaining proper form
- Stretch before and after each session
- Cross-train with other types of movement such as yoga or biking
Prevent Injury to the Knee from Breaststroke
Unlike the other swimming strokes, breaststroke can place a strong torque on the knee that can result in injuries. But that’s no reason to avoid the stroke–in fact, it’s many people’s favorite! There are a few ways to minimize stress on the knees and prevent injuries. The first important tool is to stretch before and after swimming sessions. Stretches like reaching down to touch your toes (or as close as is comfortable) and standing straight while pulling one heel towards your glutes, can be vital to stretch out the hamstrings and quadriceps of the legs before exercise. Performing knee stabilizing exercises such as wall-sits and step-ups can also be important to help keep the knees healthy.
Beyond stability and flexibility exercises, maintaining proper form is perhaps the most important key to reducing injuries from breaststroke. Checking in with a coach or swimming instructor to ensure you are performing the stroke correctly can help reduce the risk of injury. To warm-up, swim breaststroke slowly for a few laps and pay careful attention to any pain or stress you feel on the knee. If you feel uncomfortable performing the stroke, it is good practice to switch to another form of swimming (backstroke and freestyle are our favorites!) and let the body rest from the particular movements associated with breaststroke.
If you feel sports medicine and rehabilitation may be useful for you and you live or work in Bayonne, look no further than Twin Boro Physical Therapy to be connected with a sports medicine expert. We can be reached by calling 201-243-6662. We look forward to getting started!
