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There is often more than one way to effectively treat an injury. Treatment programs are always adjusted to meet the individual needs of the athlete and the unique requirements of the athlete's sport or activity.
The following is information from the American Academy of Pediatrics summarizing general rehabilitation principles and the importance of each phase of the treatment program. While each injury has specific requirements for rehabilitation, the general principles of rehabilitation apply to all treatment programs.
There are 4 phases to all rehabilitation programs that should be completed in the following order:
1. Rest, protect injured area, control swelling and pain.
2. Restore joint motion and muscle flexibility.
3. Restore muscle strength, power, and endurance.
4. Restore function (coordination, balance, agility, sport-specific skills).
When treatment does not follow a proper order, the results may not be as good and the overall recovery time will take much longer.
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