Ever wondered what you should be asking your physical therapist at appointments? Read on to learn some gymnastics specific questions you can ask, based on the time of the season.

During the competition season:

  • I can push through my pain to get through this season – it’s not that bad.  What can I do before, during, and after my practice to reduce my discomfort?

  • How many repetitions of my skills do you think I should do on each apparatus?

  • I realize that I need to have some relative rest between my meets because I’m feeling a little run down – what can I do during this rest period?

Controlling the number of repetitions of a skills can be key to staying healthy during the season.

During the off-season:

  • Can you do a whole body physical therapy exam to let me know what weaknesses, range of motion deficiencies, poor movement patterns, or asymmetries I have?

  • The new skills I’m working on include (fill in the blank).  What exercises can I do to better support my body’s resilience to the forces of these skills?

  • Is there any cross training you think I should be doing during the off season?

Stationary bike can be one of the modes of cross training used during the off season to maximize cardio fitness while reducing load through your joints. 

Throughout the year:

  • Can you help me know how to concisely and accurately explain my injury to my coach?

  • Can you give me things to do during (fill in the apparatus) while I’m taking a break from it?

  • What things can I be doing now, while I’m recovering from injury, to make sure that I come back less likely to have this injury again?

Your physical therapist can give you exercises to perform, to keep your body strong, while taking a break from training. 

Dr. Alyssa Herrera-Set DPT is a physical therapist and owner of On the Move Physical Therapy and Pilates, Belmont, CA.