A physical therapist and a physiotherapist are one and the same -- physiotherapist is more modern term for the profession. The job of a physiotherapist is to treat "injury or dysfunction with exercises and other physical treatments of the disorder." The role of physiotherapy in boxing is twofold. Boxers are treated on a regular basis by a physiotherapist, both for prevention -- sometimes called prehabilitation -- and rehabilitation of injuries.
Prevention
As an example of the role that physiotherapy can play in prevention of injuries, a boxer with minor hand injuries, who fears more serious injuries in the future, asked the BoxingScene.com website for advice. A physiotherapist student with extensive knowledge of boxing advises the fighter to examine his punching technique and do exercises to keep his hands strong. Faulty punching technique may be the problem, rather than a weakness in the hands, so the fighter should enlist his coach to examine the extension and form of his technique with the gloves off.
Rehabilitation
The other role of physiotherapy, rehabilitation, also is addressed by the physiotherapist. The fighter with the sore hands is advised to squeeze a tennis ball, use a hand grip, or try a powerball, also called a gyroball, all of which strengthen hands, wrists and forearms. Or, he can emulate climbers by hanging onto a chinup bar by his fingertips. Hand and forearm stretching also is recommended. If you do have a hand injury, rest it and use the traditional RICE treatment -- rest, ice, compression and elevation. If the injury doesn't improve in about two weeks, get X-rays to determine whether you've broken one of the small carpal or metacarpal bones in your hand.
Sports Medicine
Physiotherapists work closely with other members of an athlete's support team. The group provides a well-rounded sports medicine entourage for a fighter. A physiotherapist who understands the physical and mental demands of a boxer can work efficiently with the manager, trainer, and doctor. For example, a boxer would be well served at AVA Therapy in England, owned by Andy Wray. A former professional rugby player, another sport involving intensive physical contact, Wray also treats victims of war and runs a boxing studio at his facility.
Considerations
Physiotherapy treats a wind range of injuries and conditions. These include back problems, rehab for amputees, rehab for falls by the elderly, and knee, hip wrist, shoulder and neck pain. If you are a boxer or any other athlete who competes in a sport that involves a high degree of contact, and you don't have a physiotherapist on your speed dial, the American Physical Therapy Association, an organization with more than 77,000 physiotherapists on its membership rolls, can point you in the right direction.
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