When people think about sports injuries, they usually think about professional athletes who compete for a living.

In reality, though, athletes come in all shapes and sizes — from the high school football player to the running enthusiast training for a half marathon to the retiree who enjoys golf. But whether it’s a result of competition or recreation, an injury can  present a devastating and difficult journey to navigate.

At Family Health West, athletes of all levels have a variety of injury treatments and resources available through the rehabilitation department at the Colorado Canyons Hospital and Medical Center in Fruita.

Physical therapy can offer a conservative intervention when surgery isn’t necessary. Depending on the injury, physical therapy can reduce symptoms and help patients return to their sports — whether that’s cycling, golfing or any other activity they love.

The team of therapists in the rehabilitation department treats a lot of shoulder injuries as well as injuries to such lower extremities as ankles, knees and hamstrings. The team works with patients to build strength in their injured areas and improve motor skills using such modalities as electric stimulation, soft tissue manipulation and ultrasound.

Therapists act as a coach, working alongside their patients to help them move safely. Physical therapy is all about movement. Therapists want to help patients become the best version of themselves so they can safely perform over the long term.

Patients sometimes arrive in rehab following surgery. In those cases, physical therapists work closely with the surgeon to follow a coordinated care plan. Therapists also look for underlying issues that could make the patient predisposed to future injuries — such as imbalances or over-corrections post-injury.

Family Health West recently built a new sports medicine gym in the new Colorado Canyons physical rehabilitation outpatient clinic located at 551 Kokopelli Blvd, Suite J. This new facility is a great location for therapy, offering new equipment and plenty of space for functional movements, balance training, agility and other return-to-play activities. Therapists also offer sports injury rehabilitation using video analysis of movement to create a comprehensive treatment plan.