Physiotherapy for managing muscle tears is a structured and strategic process that aims to restore strength and function to the affected muscle. It typically follows a phased approach:
Acute Phase: Initially, the focus is on reducing inflammation and pain through the RICE protocol — rest, ice, compression, and elevation — coupled with gentle manual therapies and modalities like ultrasound or electrical stimulation to enhance healing.
Early Recovery Phase: Once inflammation subsides, the physiotherapist introduces gentle, active exercises. These aim to restore range of motion and prevent the development of scar tissue that could limit flexibility. Pain-free stretching and light strengthening exercises are performed, staying well within the threshold of pain.
Strengthening Phase: As healing progresses, the exercises become more vigorous to rebuild muscle strength. This includes resistance training and weight-bearing exercises. The therapist ensures that the exercises are isotonic at first (with movement) and may advance to isometric (without movement) as strength improves.
Functional Phase: Finally, training becomes more dynamic and sport-specific with drills designed to mimic athletic activities. The therapist focuses on optimizing the muscle's neuromuscular control, power, and endurance. Adequate warm-up and cooling-down practices are emphasized to prepare the muscle for the return to full activity.
Throughout these stages, the physiotherapist’s guidance is crucial in preventing re-injury and ensuring a well-paced recovery that prioritizes the long-term functionality of the muscle.
Comentários