Sports Medicine Physical Therapy

In addition to applying manual muscle therapy, our physical therapists use an instrument-assisted technique to detect scar tissue and restrictions in affected areas of the body. Ergonomically designed instrumentation is used to detect and treat specific areas using the appropriate amount of pressure to break up the scar tissue.

Dry needling is an alternative pain relief technique that physical therapists may administer. It involves the insertion of a small, solid filament needle into a stressed muscle’s site of spasm and pain, also known as a trigger point. By doing so, the muscle relaxes and blood flow increases into the area, alleviating pain and improving motion.

Trigger points can often be the result of a different overuse injury, because muscles overcompensate for imbalances and weakness in the injured area. Inflammation and spasm develop and lead to discomfort and pain in the muscle.

Isokinetic testing uses computerized equipment to isolate muscle groups and test their tolerance. By doing this, our therapists and trainers can identify vulnerable areas and what positions or movements may be causing pain and soreness. This is used as part of a rehab/return-to-sport program or for assessment of the athlete at different stages.

The level belt was developed at Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center to provide real-time positional feedback. Using our app, an athlete wears the device on an elastic strap aligned with the pelvis, allowing it to detect core stability and mobility. It is initially used for assessment and then can be applied as training support. For example, a baseball pitcher needs a stable core to perform well and reduce injury to the shoulder and arm. The level belt can help the pitcher isolate pelvic mobility and strengthen the core. 

Aquatic therapy is well suited for early athletic rehab and for patients experiencing a great deal of pain or a weight-bearing restriction that doesn’t permit land-based rehab. Water provides the resistance for a workout and the buoyancy for low impact. Aquatic therapy helps to restore mechanics and is best suited for lower body injuries, including those of the lower back, postop knee and areas affected by arthritis.

Ask your physical therapist about our locations for aquatic therapy that offer warm water and Olympic-size pools.

Many of our physical therapists are certified clinical specialists in orthopedics and/or sports. Our advanced clinical knowledge, experience and skills ensure the highest level of expertise in helping you return to activity. Ohio State’s commitment to maintaining specialist certification is testimony to our commitment to high standards of patient care and keeping pace with the rapidly expanding base of scientific evidence in the clinic.

Ohio State’s Sports Medicine team operates using a novel clinician-driven research initiative where physical therapists collaborate with experienced researchers to produce clinically relevant translational research. This model benefits patients by channeling the most current, evidence-based standards and best practices from the lab to the clinic faster.

In addition to clinical specialization, Ohio State has developed many innovative sport- or body part-specific programs to maximize your game and everyday performance. We offer specialty programs in Endurance Medicine, ACL Injury Prevention, Golf Performance, Hip Preservation and more.

Our team works together to create a treatment plan that is personalized to your recovery rate and long-term goals. We collaborate with Ohio State’s sports medicine and orthopedic surgeons to develop a comprehensive guideline to return you to activity as quickly and as safely as possible, ensuring that the surgical intervention is protected and allows healing to occur. Along the way, you’ll benefit from exercises and pain-reduction techniques rooted in our expertise and knowledge of anatomy, kinesiology, biomechanics and rehabilitation.

Ohio State provides more accredited physical therapy residency and fellowship programs than any other university in the country. Our unique design and number of programs allow for more collaboration across programs, resulting in a more robust educational experience.

We continue to build on an already strong foundation of credentialed residencies by adding post-professional educational fellowships in areas such as the upper extremity athlete, performing arts, endurance medicine and manual therapy.