An ACL Physio treatment focuses mainly on strengthening the anterior cruciate ligaments, also known as the ACL. Athletes, in particular, are prone to injuring their ACL. When too much pressure is applied to the knee, repeatedly stretching the injured ligament beyond its means, it tends to become weakened. This causes the ligaments to become thin and lose flexibility, increasing the risk of instability when the knee is pushed into movement. A physically fit person has a better ability to prevent this from happening. In addition, an excellent physical therapist who is trained in diagnosing and treating sports injuries can identify the proper treatment for a specific case.
The most common treatment that an ACL physio can offer his patients are exercises targeting the quadriceps muscles and hamstrings. These can be effective in relieving the stress on the injured ligaments, but they will not prevent a future injury. In order to achieve optimal results, a good exercise program should include exercises that help increase the body’s capacity for strength and flexibility.
Another important area to focus on is the alignment of the body’s structures at the knee joint. This may sound self-explanatory, but many people ignore the importance of the positioning of their bodies. They ignore their alignment, leading to a variety of different knee pains. For example, if you sit with your knees bent and your hips lifted, you place considerable strain on the ACL (and the other muscles and ligaments) and the supporting muscles and ligaments in your legs and pelvis. THEREFORE, an ACL physiotherapist will have his patients focus on maintaining their body alignment, which in turn reduces strain on the ACL and other muscles and ligaments.
A further issue that can lead to pain and instability is the lack of bodyweight being used by an individual. People are naturally more active when they’re awake, but they become inactive and relax when sleeping. This leads to a decrease in blood flow to the muscles. A good program for an ACL physiotherapist will enable his patients to adopt progressive exercise routines to increase the body’s metabolism and to force the body to become more active.
So, before you know it, ACL injuries will have occurred. However, don’t let this dissuade you from seeking out an ACL Physio and seeking treatment. A qualified ACL specialist’s physical therapy and advice are extensive and will lead to the best possible chance of returning to full mobility.