Of course you can. Are they exactly right for you? Do you know the correct reps, weights, and sets? How often should you do them? How and when should you progress them?

These questions of course only apply if you have the correct diagnosis. You may be searching for the wrong thing. What if your hip pain is referred from the back? What if your calf pain is a blood clot? What if the open skin area is actually an infection?

Many times, injuries are simple, athletes are in good condition, and things can be managed from afar with things like internet searches or tele-medicine (a Doctor talks to you via Skype). But if there are special circumstances or if there are certain complications, these can be missed and a minor issue turns into a major medical problem.

I was warned of this when a local physician group told its patients they will not need rehab after their total hip replacements because they do hundreds of them per year and they will be given a video of exercises to do. I hope none of them have extra pain, blood clots, infections, or need someone to help them with range of motion and home adjustments.

There needs to be hands on. There needs to be face to face. These are the nuisances of medicine. We can’t get these on Google or Skype.

An athlete’s body is his/her equipment. It is the most important thing. They do not want to take chances with it. They want to make sure they have the best medical advice throughout the injury and recovery. If it were me, and it has been, I want someone with me, that knows me, that can answer my questions, and can progress me at the correct rate. Plus, injuries can be scary. A skilled sports physical therapist can ease the anxiety of the entire process while skillfully progressing and returning to action.

Call me, I can help. Your body is too important to be left to a search engine!!!

Kash Eagleton, DPT, SCS
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Board Certified Sports Physical Therapy Specialist
keagleto@hotmail.com
Fredericksburg, VA

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