By Kenzie Fauset, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
You’ve hit your kip a thousand times, but today it feels off. Your beam series is shaky, your landings aren’t as solid, and skills you’ve nailed for months suddenly feel harder. That’s not just a tough mental day in the gym, it could be your body telling you it’s time to see a physical therapist.
Red flags you shouldn’t ignore
If you notice any of these, it’s time to get checked out:
- Pain during gymnastics or daily activities
- Lingering soreness that lasts longer than usual
- Performance drop- skills feel harder or less consistent
- Rapid growth spurt followed by new aches or pains
Rapid growth, overuse or under-fueling can all lead to issues such as Osgood-Schlatter’s disease, Sever’s disease, stress fractures, spondylolysis, gymnast’s wrist, elbow hyperextension, and tendon apophysitis.
Why Coming to Physical Therapy Early Matters
I know it’s tempting to push through until the end of the season, I see that all the time. But the longer you wait, the more likely you’ll deal with compensation patterns, weakness, or even new injuries.
If we catch an issue early, we can treat it before it snowballs into something bigger. I’ve seen what happens when gymnasts rush back too soon, one injury turns into many. I had a gymnast with a stress fracture who came back before she was ready and ended up battling elbow, knee, and hip pain on top of her original injury. Months later, she was still struggling to perform at the level she wanted.
I’m on your side
The last thing I want is to pull you from your sport. I’ve been in your shoes, and I know how much gymnastics means to you. My role is to work with you, and your coaches, so we can keep you in the gym as long as it’s safe. That might mean modifying certain skills, adding recovery strategies, or focusing on strength to support your flexibility.
Strength training, especially, can be a game-changer. I know there’s still a stigma in gymnastics that it makes athletes “bulky,” but in reality, it’s one of the best ways to prevent injuries and recover from them.
When to come in, even WITHOUT pain!
It’s smart to check in with a physical therapist:
- Before a new season starts
- After a growth spurt
- Before moving up in skill level
- Any time you notice a change in performance
The years right before and after puberty are especially important. Your body changes quickly, and you need the strength and control to keep up with your flexibility.
Think of a visit like getting a preseason baseline. This will make sure you’re ready for the hours and impact gymnastics demands.
The Top Injuries I see in Gymnasts
- Lumbar stress fractures / stress reactions
- Osgood-Schlatter’s disease
- Severs disease
- Gymnast’s wrist
- Elbow hyperextension injuries and tendon apophysitis
A stronger season starts early
Seeing a physical therapist isn’t just for big injuries, it’s for protecting your ability to train and compete at your highest level. By catching problems early, we can prevent long breaks, avoid the frustration of fighting multiple injuries, and help you peak when it matters most.
If you’re noticing changes, even small ones, now is the time to check in. The work we do today can set you up for the season you’ve been training for all year. Remember, we can see you at any point. Before your season to pre-screen for imbalances and help mitigate risk of injury, during season to make sure you are recovering, and in off-season to work on those imbalances.
Ready to set your gymnast up for success? Schedule an appointment with a Spooner physical therapist.