Physical Therapy Blog

We all had a teacher in school who, for some reason, seemed determined to make their class the opposite of an enjoyable experience. Whether they meant to or not, you could not wait to be done with their class, and you likely still remember the negative impact on your mental health from that semester. Now, picture a gymnast or competitive cheerleader trying to improve in their sport and stay healthy with a coach who acts like that teacher. Doesn’t sound fun anymore, right?

Gymnastics is a sport that demands an extraordinary blend of strength, flexibility, balance, and control. To excel, gymnasts must develop a comprehensive fitness regime that complements their training schedule. We love helping our gymnasts at EW Motion Therapy do this through customized exercise programs they can balance with their training, but you may decide that our services don’t fit your needs. You can still read on as we delve into the importance of overall fitness for gymnasts and offer practical workout recommendations. By understanding how to balance a fitness routine with a training schedule, gymnasts can optimize their performance, prevent injuries, and enjoy a fulfilling athletic career.

Flexibility, often associated with images of yogis twisting into pretzel-like poses or athletes bending effortlessly, is critical to physical health and wellness. It's not just about achieving impressive stretches; it's a vital component of our daily lives, influencing how we move, our susceptibility to injuries, and our overall physical capabilities. We love helping our clients at EW Motion Therapy increase flexibility, whether they are a gymnast or a grandmother wanting to join her grandkids in their favorite activities. Even if you decide that our services don’t fit your needs, you can still read on as we dive into the science behind flexibility, understand the factors influencing it, and explore ways to enhance it, including the role of physical therapy.

EW Motion Therapy has been serving the greater Birmingham area since 1999, and we are proud of our legacy as a company. We have helped thousands of patients/clients reach their goals, and we consider it a privilege to do this every single day at our six clinics. But I’m sure you’re wondering: who are the people behind this whole operation? How did the company start? Well, sit back and relax, grab a cold drink, and I will tell you the entire story.

Gymnastics, a sport known for its rigorous physical demands, requires more than just skill and training. Proper nutrition is pivotal in a gymnast's performance and overall health. Just as a car needs the right fuel to run efficiently, gymnasts need the proper nutrients to perform at their best. We love helping our gymnasts at EW Motion Therapy improve performance through customized plans and sport-specific exercises. But even if you decide that our physical therapy doesn’t fit your needs, you can still read on to learn the primary focus areas for gymnastics nutrition and how professionals can help gymnasts achieve their dietary goals.

Every parent wants to make the best decisions for their children, including where to send them to school and how to dress them. Many parents fret over choosing a sport for their child - how do you know from a young age which sport will “click” with them? Are they destined to be a star soccer player or a prima ballerina? Not every child will become a pro athlete, but sports help encourage work ethic and setting goals, essential life skills for any child.

Gymnastics is an incredible sport that demands dedication, discipline, and determination. You have already shown extraordinary commitment to your craft as a young gymnast. However, balancing the demands of gymnastics with other obligations like school and friends can sometimes feel overwhelming. But don’t worry - many resources are available to help you care for your body and mind as you pursue excellence in and out of the gym. You can always go to your coach or other trusted professionals for advice, including a physical therapist. We love helping our young gymnasts at EW Motion Therapy succeed by helping them progress their skills and encouraging them not to push their bodies beyond what they can handle. Even if you decide that our services do not fit your needs, you can still read on as we explore some valuable tips to help you find harmony and succeed in all areas of your life.

Competition day in gymnastics is an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience for athletes. It's the culmination of months, or even years, of hard work and dedication. A combination of mental and physical preparation is critical to perform at your best and maximize your potential. Every gymnast needs to ensure their body can handle the demand of their sport - we love helping our gymnasts toward this goal at EW Motion Therapy. While you may decide that our services don’t fit your needs, you can still read on as we explore some essential tips to help gymnasts shine on competition day.

Every single cartwheel, back handspring, or split a gymnast performs relies on the flexibility and strength of their hip joints. Think about it: each bend or stretch can push the joint to the end of its range of motion, and with the amount of bending and stretching a gymnast does each practice, the joint can become stressed. So how do you ensure that your hips continue to stay healthy and withstand the impact of your skills?

We all know the strength required to participate in a sport like gymnastics, but how do gymnasts develop strength? What is their normal workout routine? When you think of these workouts, weightlifting may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Gymnasts must be incredibly agile - they can’t be too bulky by lifting heavy and still perform at a high level, right? This thought process is a common myth throughout the gymnastics community, but in reality, weight training can be instrumental in staying healthy, preventing injury, and promoting the longevity of a gymnast’s career. But what would this look like, and how would you have the time to fit it into an already-packed training schedule?