Specialized physical therapy for athletes and active individuals who want to recover from injury, improve performance, and return to the activities they love.
Built for Athletes. Personalized for You.
Athletes need more than temporary pain relief. They need a plan that considers the demands of their sport, position, training schedule, and performance goals.
Whether you are a middle school athlete, high school competitor, collegiate athlete, recreational participant, or active adult, our physical therapists will help you recover safely, rebuild confidence, and prepare your body for the movements your activity requires.
Did you know?
Sports injuries are not always caused by one sudden event.
Pain and injuries can also develop gradually because of changes in training, repetitive movement, limited mobility, strength differences, fatigue, or movement mechanics. A physical therapy evaluation can help identify factors contributing to your symptoms and guide a safe return to activity.
Sports We Work With
Our physical therapists work with athletes across a wide range of sports, activities, ages, and experience levels. The sports below are only examples, so contact us even if yours is not listed.
Football
Soccer
Basketball
Volleyball
Baseball and Softball
Running and Track
Golf
Tennis and Racquet Sports
Hockey
Lacrosse
Wrestling
Dance and Gymnastics
Swimming
Cycling
Pickleball
Strength Training
Outdoor and Recreational Activities
Don’t see your sport?
Every activity places different demands on the body. We will evaluate the movements that matter to you and develop a plan based on your specific goals.
Common Sports Injuries We Treat
Knee Injuries
- ACL and other ligament injuries
- Meniscus injuries
- Patellofemoral pain
- Jumper’s knee
- Knee pain with running or jumping
Shoulder and Arm Injuries
- Throwing-related shoulder pain
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Shoulder instability
- Tennis and golfer’s elbow
- Wrist and hand injuries
Hip, Leg, and Ankle Injuries
- Ankle sprains
- Hamstring strains
- Hip and groin pain
- Shin splints
- Achilles tendon injuries
- Stress-related injuries
Other Athletic Concerns
- Back and neck pain
- Overuse injuries
- Muscle strains
- Tendon pain
- Concussions
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
- Recurring injuries
If you do not see your condition listed, contact our team to discuss whether sports physical therapy may be appropriate for you.
More Than Injury Recovery
Sports physical therapy is not limited to treating pain after an injury. We can also help athletes prepare for the physical demands of their sport and build confidence before returning to competition.
Injury Rehabilitation
Recover strength, mobility, balance, and function through a rehabilitation plan tailored to your injury and sport.
Return-to-Sport Preparation
Progress from basic rehabilitation to running, jumping, cutting, throwing, lifting, and other sport-specific movements.
Performance Development
Improve strength, mobility, movement control, balance, and efficiency based on your individual needs and goals.
Injury Risk Reduction
Identify movement limitations and strength deficits that may contribute to recurring pain or injury.
Featured Sports Programs
Runner's Clinic
Personalized care for runners of every level.
Whether you are beginning a running program, preparing for a race, managing an injury, or working toward a performance goal, our Runner’s Clinic combines physical therapy expertise with a comprehensive assessment of how your body moves.
Your evaluation may include:
- Running and injury history
- Strength and mobility testing
- Assessment of the spine, pelvis, and lower extremities
- Posture and alignment
- Balance and movement control
- Video-recorded running gait analysis
- Personalized exercises and running recommendations
Our goal is to help you better understand your movement, address factors contributing to pain, and build a plan that supports your running goals.
| Appointment | Price |
|---|---|
| Initial visit, 60 minutes | $180 |
| Follow-up visit, 20 minutes | $60 |
You and your physical therapist will determine the number of visits needed based on your assessment and goals.
When treatment is related to an injury or medical condition, insurance coverage may be available depending on your individual plan. Contact our team for more information.
Golf Performance
Improve how your body moves throughout your golf swing.
A golf swing requires coordinated movement through the entire body. Pain in the elbow, shoulder, or back may be influenced by limitations in mobility, strength, balance, or movement elsewhere.
Our golf-focused care may include:
- Comprehensive movement evaluation
- Golf-specific mobility and strength testing
- Video-recorded swing analysis
- Education on movement patterns
- Manual therapy when appropriate
- Personalized exercises for recovery and injury risk reduction
Our Certified Functional Golf Specialist evaluates how your body moves throughout the swing and develops a plan based on your symptoms, movement, and goals.
Concussion Rehabilitation
Guided recovery for a safe return to school, activity, and sport.
Our concussion rehabilitation program helps athletes address symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, balance problems, neck pain, visual difficulties, and reduced tolerance for activity.
Treatment may include vestibular rehabilitation, balance training, cervical spine treatment, guided exercise, symptom education, and a gradual return-to-sport progression.
How Sports Physical Therapy Can Help
Comprehensive Movement Evaluation
We assess more than the painful area to understand how strength, mobility, balance, and movement mechanics may be contributing to your symptoms.
Therapeutic Exercise
Your program may include strength, mobility, endurance, balance, and power exercises selected for your sport and stage of recovery.
Hands-On Treatment
Manual therapy may be used to improve mobility, reduce discomfort, and prepare your body for movement and exercise.
Pilates-Based Rehabilitation
When appropriate, Pilates-based techniques may help improve core control, stability, posture, coordination, and movement quality.
Dry Needling
Dry needling may be included when appropriate to help address muscle tension, trigger points, pain, and movement limitations.
Sport-Specific Training
As you progress, rehabilitation can include running, jumping, landing, cutting, throwing, lifting, or other movements required for your activity.
Our Performance-Based Approach
We do not stop at “feeling better.”
An athlete may feel less pain before the body is fully prepared for the demands of practice or competition. That is why our rehabilitation programs progress beyond symptom relief.
Depending on your sport and injury, your therapist may assess:
- Strength and power
- Mobility and flexibility
- Balance and stability
- Running mechanics
- Jumping and landing
- Cutting and changing direction
- Throwing or overhead movement
- Endurance and activity tolerance
- Sport-specific movement patterns
Your treatment plan will progress based on your recovery, goals, and readiness for each stage of activity.
What to Expect
Your rehabilitation will progress from evaluation to confident participation in the activities that matter most.
Comprehensive Evaluation
Your therapist will discuss your injury, sport, training schedule, symptoms, and goals before evaluating your movement, strength, mobility, and function.
Personalized Treatment Plan
We will create an individualized program designed around your injury, activity demands, and current abilities.
Progressive Rehabilitation
Your exercises and activities will gradually advance as your strength, movement, and confidence improve.
Sport-Specific Training
Rehabilitation will begin to include the movements and physical demands required for your sport or activity.
Return to Activity
Your therapist will help you prepare for a gradual and appropriate return to practice, competition, exercise, or recreation.
Support for Youth Athletes
Growing athletes face unique physical demands as their bodies, training schedules, and competition levels change.
Our physical therapists work with young athletes and their families to create age-appropriate rehabilitation plans focused on safe movement, strength, confidence, and a responsible return to activity. We can also communicate with physicians, coaches, or athletic trainers when appropriate and authorized.
Why choose Optimum Therapies?
Athletes need a plan, not just instructions to rest.
Our physical therapists combine individualized rehabilitation, movement analysis, hands-on care, therapeutic exercise, and sport-specific progression to help athletes recover safely and perform with confidence.
At Optimum Therapies, you can expect:
- Care personalized to your sport and goals
- A comprehensive evaluation of how your body moves
- Progressive rehabilitation beyond basic pain relief
- Sport-specific exercises and movement training
- Pilates-based rehabilitation when appropriate
- Dry needling and hands-on treatment when appropriate
- Collaboration with other members of your healthcare team when needed
- Convenient clinic locations throughout Wisconsin and North Dakota
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you work with youth athletes?
Yes. We work with middle school, high school, and other youth athletes across many sports. Treatment is tailored to the athlete’s age, injury, activity level, and goals.
Do you only work with competitive athletes?
No. We work with athletes and active individuals of all ages, experience levels, and abilities. Whether you’re training for your first 5K, preparing for a marathon, competing in high school or college athletics, playing recreational sports, or simply working toward a personal fitness goal, we’ll create a treatment plan based on your activity and goals.
Do I need a referral for sports physical therapy?
Many patients in Wisconsin and North Dakota can begin physical therapy without a referral through Direct Access. Some insurance plans may still require one for coverage, so our team will verify your benefits whenever possible.
Can I choose where I receive physical therapy after a sports injury?
Yes. In most cases, you can choose the physical therapy clinic that best meets your needs, even if a physician or another healthcare provider recommends a specific location.
Can I come to physical therapy before my season begins?
Yes. A physical therapist can evaluate movement, strength, mobility, and other factors that may affect your ability to participate. Services focused solely on performance rather than treatment of an injury may not be covered by insurance.
Can physical therapy improve athletic performance?
Physical therapy can help address limitations in strength, mobility, balance, movement control, and activity tolerance. Improvements in these areas may support more efficient and confident athletic movement.
How soon can I return to my sport?
The timeline depends on your injury, healing, symptoms, sport, and progress. Your therapist will gradually advance your rehabilitation and help determine when you are prepared for each stage of activity.
Can I continue practicing while I am in physical therapy?
Sometimes. Your therapist will help determine which activities are appropriate and whether practice should be continued, limited, or temporarily modified.
Do you offer return-to-sport testing?
Testing may be incorporated depending on the athlete, injury, surgery, sport, and clinic resources. Your physical therapist will explain the measures used to assess your progress and readiness.
Do you communicate with athletic trainers, coaches, or physicians?
When appropriate and with proper authorization, we can communicate with members of your healthcare and athletic team to support a coordinated return to activity.
Do you treat runners and golfers?
Yes. We offer running assessments, gait analysis, golf-specific movement evaluations, injury rehabilitation, and performance-focused services for athletes of different experience levels.
What if my sport is not listed?
The sports shown on this page are examples. Our physical therapists work with athletes and active individuals participating in many different sports, fitness programs, and recreational activities.
Content reviewed by Drew Strope, PT, DPT at Optimum Therapies.