Hoop Dreams and Icy Packs

🏀 ​A Physiotherapy Ode to the 2025 Basketball Playoffs 🏀
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​It’s that time of year again – the playoffs are overlapping. And although we hope that Lord Stanley will find his way home, we can’t help but be distracted by the squeak of sneakers and whoosh of the basket.   An old Indiana fan, I can’t help but hope the Pacers defy the odds.   It also presents the perfect opportunity to talk about keeping you in the game — whether you’re on the court or reliving your high school glory days in your driveway.
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So in honour of the playoffs, let’s take a look at some of the most popular (read: common and annoying) basketball injuries we treat — and how physiotherapy can help you bounce back faster than a Steph Curry crossover.

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1️⃣ The Classic Ankle Sprain
AKA: “I landed on someone’s foot”

One second you’re going up for the rebound; the next, you’re on the floor clutching your ankle. Welcome to the most frequent basketball injury! Ligaments get stretched or torn, and suddenly that dream of dunking is replaced with the reality of hobbling.

How physio helps: We’ll get the swelling down, restore strength and stability, and teach you exercises so your ankle is ready to face the court again — hopefully with fewer landings on unsuspecting feet.


2️⃣ Jumper’s Knee (Patellar Tendinopathy)
AKA: “I thought I could still dunk like I was 20”

Jumping is fun. Landing repeatedly, not so much. Over time, the tendon that connects your kneecap to your shinbone can become irritated and painful. You might not even notice until stairs start feeling like Everest.

How physio helps: Treatment includes targeted strengthening, load management, and manual therapy to calm that cranky tendon — so you can jump (and land) without grimacing.

3️⃣ Rotator Cuff Strain
AKA: “I really overcommitted on that half-court pass”

Basketball isn’t all about legs — your shoulders get a workout, too. A strained rotator cuff can leave you wincing through jump shots, free throws, and even the celebratory wave to your fans (aka your dog).

How physio helps: We’ll assess the injury, work on mobility and strength, and ensure your shoulder is playoff-ready — or at least driveway-shootout-ready.

4️⃣ Jammed Fingers
AKA: “Ball meet finger. Finger meet swelling.”

Few things are more annoying than a jammed finger. It may seem minor, but left untreated, stiffness and pain can linger longer than your bracket survives the first round.

How physio helps: Proper treatment can reduce swelling, restore movement, and get your grip back so you can confidently catch, dribble, and high-five your teammates.

Final Thoughts: Play Hard, Recover Smarter

Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a rec-league hero, or just shooting hoops for fun, remember this: the NBA players have a whole team of physios keeping them in top form — and you can, too!
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So as you enjoy the 2025 playoffs (Go Pacers!) Keep an eye on your body. If something starts to ache or swell, don’t just “walk it off” — come see us.

We’ll help you stay off the injured list — and maybe even improve your game.

🏀 Call us today to book an appointment — because every player deserves a good support team! 🏀