Latest Trends in Sports Injury Rehabilitation

By Dr. Frank J. Scerbo, PT, DPT, MS, CSCS ///

At Scerbo Sports Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, we have embraced many exciting advances in technology for their positive benefits to our patients. In this blog, I’d like to round up some of the science-based advances that are redefining what’s possible in rehab, physical therapy, and training.

The Present/Future of Injury Prevention
New technologies are always being developed, sometimes as new breakthroughs, often based on the enhancement of current trends. Some of these include:

• AR/VR in sports medicine: augmented reality and virtual reality may be used to simulate an athlete’s play environment with the demands of their particular course, field, gym, or stadium.
• Preventive genomics: the development of genetic tests to reveal a possible heightened risk of injury or specific nutritional demands.
• Monitoring health through sensors and wearables: healthcare wearables that can support training and help maintain health while you work toward your sports goals. Many are available now; ask your Scerbo therapist for recommendations.
• Prevention through sensory garments, helmets, mouth guards: clothing that can measure vital signs and absorb impact, and devices that actively boost performance.
• Anti-gravity treadmill, exoskeletons: to allow patients to work out without bearing their full body weight.
• Dynamometers and exercising machines: various rehabilitation equipment to evaluate patients’ movements, offer muscle-specific exercises, and set up appropriate training programs.

Cutting-Edge Rehab Trends Currently Used at Scerbo

• We’re always looking for the best technologies to help our patients, such as:
• Blood Flow Restriction Therapy (BFR): a method that decreases stress placed on the joints without compromising improvements in strength.
• ElectroStimulation: often known as “stim,” this therapy is designed to strengthen and repair tissue by simulating the repeated contract and release of a muscle.
• Ultrasound Therapy is used to detect and treat various musculoskeletal issues including pain, tissue injury, and muscle spasms.
• Massage Guns:  In addition to manual therapy, Scerbo Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation uses massage guns for the treatment of sports injuries most commonly seen in endurance and high-performing athletes. The massage gun helps reduce inflammation, relax tight muscles, break up scar tissue and adhesions, and minimize muscle soreness and tension allowing for a faster recovery.
• The Biodex Balance System SD is designed to help patients improve balance, increase agility, develop muscle tone and treat a wide variety of pathologies.
• Fall Risk Screening and Conditioning Program provides assessment and training for lower extremity patients and adds an objective balance assessment component to our concussion management program.

As we move forward into a bright future of improvements in healthcare, you can count on ScerboPT to stay current with the most promising trends in sports rehab and physical therapy. Why not visit our Edgewater, NJ facility, to find out how the latest technologies in prevention and therapy can help you heal, relieve pain, perform at your best, and stay fit. Call us today at 201 941-2240.