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Injuries happen — even with the best prevention. What separates successful athletes is how they return to training. Physical therapists play a pivotal role in guiding safe, effective, and confident comebacks.
Phases of Rehab
- Protection phase: Reduce pain, swelling, and protect healing tissues. Modified training may involve rowing, biking, or accessory work.
- Movement restoration: Rebuild mobility and motor control. For example, regaining shoulder range of motion post-surgery.
- Progressive loading: Gradually reintroduce strength, starting with light loads and controlled patterns.
- Sport-specific integration: Reintroduce CrossFit movements (deadlifts, kipping pull-ups, cleans) with controlled intensity.
- Performance phase: Build confidence, refine technique, and restore full training loads.
Modifying WODs During Rehab
- Substituting overhead presses with landmine presses during shoulder rehab.
- Scaling box jumps to step-ups during Achilles recovery.
- Using resistance bands for pull-ups while building back strength.
Psychological Role of PT
Rehab isn’t just physical — it’s mental. Many athletes fear re-injury or feel frustrated about losing progress. PTs provide reassurance, education, and structured milestones that restore confidence.
Athlete Success Story
A competitive CrossFit athlete tore their meniscus. Instead of abandoning training, a PT created a rehab plan that included upper-body strength, core stability, and aerobic conditioning. After surgery and structured progression, the athlete returned not only pain-free but stronger in areas previously neglected.
This illustrates that rehab can be a launchpad for greater performance, not just a return to baseline.
Give us a call at Lifestyle Physical Therapy with any questions!