PCH/FMC Offers New Injury Prevention Program

Free movement screenings available to local athletes

When it comes to sports, injuries are a part of the game. But some injuries can be avoided with modifications to body movement and technique.

Paris Community Hospital is offering a new injury prevention program for athletes called Momentum, which identifies and corrects movement faults that may lead to injury. Performance enhancement can occur through the program as well when proper body mechanics are utilized.
The Momentum program is provided by licensed therapists in the PCH rehabilitation services department and is for athletes of all ages.

“An athlete may be performing at a high level during their sport, but unable to complete simple movements due to inappropriate balance between stability and mobility,” said Danielle Colvin, doctor of physical therapy and board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist at PCH/FMC. “They unknowingly may be setting themselves up for a long-term injury due to poor biomechanics and a breakdown of healthy tissue.”

As movement faults are corrected, athletes are able to stimulate muscle growth in a more efficient manner creating increased power, speed, and agility, Colvin added.

Mady Collier, a student at Mayo Middle School, recently joined the program following a complicated knee surgery last spring followed by physical therapy at PCH/FMC. She hopes the Momentum program will make her stronger and prevent future injuries from occurring.
“I’m grateful to the therapy department,” said her mother, Sarah. “They have been beyond awesome.”

Momentum utilizes a research-based Functional Movement Screen (FMS) to score each athlete and compare it against established standards. The screen is free and applies to school athletes (Edgar County and nearby), travel team participants, adult athletes, runners, and more.

The screening process includes familiar movements taken to the extreme positions where weaknesses and imbalances become noticeable. After identifying problematic areas, an individualized program is developed to work specifically on each athlete’s performance needs and goals.

Following the screen, individual Momentum sessions address identified areas of weakness and movement compensation. Momentum sessions are customized to each athlete’s needs and are $30 for 30 minutes. The number of sessions is determined on a case-by-case basis.

A medical referral is not required for the Momentum program. For more information, call the PCH rehab department at (217) 465-2606, Ext. 244.