Mangiarelli Rehabilitation Physical Therapy Blog
How Physical Therapy Can Help After a Soccer Concussion
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that can result in disrupted neurological function and cause a wide range of physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms. The sport of soccer poses a significant risk for concussions and head injuries. During soccer, the head is at risk of contact with the ground, with soccer goalposts, with the ball, and with other players’ heads, elbows, knees, or feet. Physical therapists can effectively manage concussion injuries through evidence-based treatment and a careful, personalized rehabilitation program.
Physical Therapy for Common Soccer Injuries
Soccer is an incredibly popular sport with over 13 million Americans playing soccer, three million of whom are youth soccer players. Due to the intensity of soccer’s kicking, sprinting, fast changes in direction, and contact and the increase in year-round competition, both traumatic and overuse injuries can occur. Most soccer injuries occur in the lower extremities, particularly to the ankle, knee, and hamstrings. Physical therapists can help soccer players recover from injury safely through a comprehensive rehabilitation program.