Are you seeking alternative therapy for sports injuries or to enhance your performance? Read on to learn about nine therapies that can improve recovery time and more.
Anytime we participate in sports, whether for fun or professionally, there is a risk of pulling a muscle, twisting an ankle, or worse. Since the beginning of sports thousands of years ago, we’ve been seeking ways to heal faster and push our bodies to ever-greater heights of performance. In recent years, that includes finding treatments that don’t require pain medications that can have other side effects, or, at a minimum, finding treatments that can help the body heal quicker to lessen the length of time pain medication is required.
Fortunately, today, there is a range of alternative treatments for such injuries. At Roman’s, we see individuals with a myriad of sports injuries, some of the most common being:
- Head concussions
- Muscle tears, strains, and sprains (including care for pulled muscles, treatment for strained back muscles, and lower back sprain treatments)
- Plantar fasciitis
The best course of sports injury treatment is decided based on the specific injury and its severity. It’s also worth it to point out that, even when an injury isn’t present, many seek alternative treatments for faster recovery time, in general.
Alternative therapy for sports injuries and recovery by injury type
Here are some effective alternative therapies for sports injuries broken down by the injury type:
- Sports concussions: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), Acupuncture, Halo Light Therapy, HOCATT
- Muscle tears, strains, and sprains: Cryotherapy, Laser, HBOT, HOCATT, Acupuncture, Massage, Halo Light Therapy
- Plantar fasciitis pain: Radial Shock Wave Therapy, Laser, Acupuncture, Massage, Detox Foot Bath
- Improved recovery time: HBOT, Acupuncture, Halo Light Therapy, HOCATT, Cryotherapy, Laser, Massage, Radial Shock Wave Therapy, Detox Foot Bath
Alternative therapy for sports injuries and recovery by treatment type
Now, let’s take a deeper dive into the alternative therapies for sports injuries and how they work.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
Treats: Sports concussions, muscle tears, muscle sprains, muscle strains, improved recovery time
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, or HBOT, involves sitting in a pressurized hyperbaric chamber where you breathe in pure oxygen. Some studies report that HBOT can speed up healing and recovery time by up to 33% when compared to standard treatments for sprained muscles.
It’s commonly known that pro athletes turn to HBOT treatments for optimal recovery and performance. HBOT is the top alternative therapy for sports injuries that we recommend to athletes. HBOT is reported to heal injuries 60% to 80% faster vs. not doing any treatments at all.
How does HBOT work?
By flooding your body with oxygen, we speed up healing and reduce inflammation. In addition to soft tissue sports injuries and concussions, HBOT works well to treat CO2 poisoning and stubborn wounds. Treatments can last up to an hour or two, depending on the purpose of treatment. HBOT’s effectiveness can vary depending on individual factors, like the type and severity of the injury.
Acupuncture
Treats: Sports concussions, muscle tears, muscle sprains, muscle strains, plantar fasciitis, improved recovery time
Many athletes swear by the benefits of acupuncture, which has been around since ancient times. Acupuncture has shown significant benefits in reducing pain and improving function for athletes with chronic ankle instability, along with other types of pain and injuries. Plus, the treatment is backed by scientific evidence. Research shows that acupuncture is used to treat a variety of sports injuries with positive outcomes.
How does acupuncture work?
Small needles are inserted into various areas of the body. These needles stimulate specific points in the body, promoting healing and reducing pain.
Halo Light Therapy
Treats: Sports concussions, muscle tears, muscle sprains, muscle strains, improved recovery time
Halo Light Therapy emits specific wavelengths of light into the treatment area. The light penetrates the area and helps to stimulate healing. For sports concussions, for example, the light can penetrate the skull and stimulate the brain, helping with concussion recovery.
Cryotherapy
Treats: Sports concussions, muscle tears, muscle sprains, muscle strains, improved recovery time
Many athletes turn to cryotherapy for several types of sports injuries, reporting that it helps with faster recovery and reduces muscle soreness. Cryotherapy exposes the body to freezing temperatures for short periods, aiming to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
How does cryotherapy work?
Cryotherapy involves exposing your body to extremely cold temperatures for a short period, to around -100°C (-148°F). The extreme cold reduces inflammation and promotes healing.
LightForce Laser
Treats: Muscle tears, muscle sprains, muscle strains, improved recovery time
LightForce laser therapy is often used by professionals that work with athletes, like physical therapists and trainers. The treatment applies concentrated light energy deep into injured tissue. This concentrated light is referred to as photons, which trigger a process called photobiomodulation (PBM) that stimulates cellular activity. The result is reduced pain and inflammation, both of which accelerate the healing process.
LightForce laser treatments are frequently used to treat tendonitis, muscle strains, and ligament sprains.
Hyperthermic Ozone and Carbonic Acid Transdermal Technology (HOCATT)
Treats: Sports concussions, muscle tears, muscle sprains, muscle strains, plantar fasciitis pain, improved recovery time
HOCATT stands for “Hyperthermic Ozone and Carbonic Acid Transdermal Technology.” The treatment involves sitting in a special chamber that combines ozone therapy, carbonic acid therapy, and far infrared radiation, among other things. This combination of therapies can help to detoxify your body, boost your immune system, and speed up healing.
Radial Shockwave Therapy
Treats: Plantar fasciitis pain, improved recovery time
Radial Shockwave Therapy uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in injured tissues. This treatment is popular for treating chronic tendon problems like tennis elbow or plantar fasciitis.
Massage
Treats: Muscle tears, muscle sprains, muscle strains, plantar fasciitis pain, improved recovery time
Massage therapy can help reduce muscle tension, promote relaxation, and improve circulation, all of which can contribute to faster recovery from sports injuries. Studies have found it effectively reduces muscle soreness and enhances muscle performance after exercise-induced damage.
Detox Foot Bath
Treats: Plantar fasciitis pain, improved recovery time
Ionic detox foot baths offer relaxation and help to draw toxins out of your body through your feet. The removal of toxins supports the reduction of inflammation and improves healing and recovery time.
Considerations when selecting alternative therapies for sports injuries
When exploring alternative treatments, it’s vital to:
- Do your research: Look for treatments backed by research and results.
- Be realistic about expectations: Remember that recovery can take time and effort.
- Listen to your body: If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and intuition.
- Consider combining approaches: Work with your healthcare professional to determine which combination of treatments would provide the best results.
- Keep an open mind: Just because something sounds weird doesn’t mean it doesn’t work (and vice versa).
- Find a provider you trust: Contact providers and ask questions, while also looking at the types of services and outcomes they offer.
Everybody is different, and what works for one person might not work for the next. The goal is to find the right types of treatments that work for you and your specific injury. It’s also helpful to bear in mind that the effectiveness of alternative therapy for sports injuries can vary depending on the individual and the type and level of injury. It’s always best to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
If you’re interested in exploring alternative therapies for sports injuries or seeking ways to enhance your performance and recovery time, contact Roman’s for more information! Call 304-322-0093, or contact us online to schedule an appointment today!
