Sports Medicine
Sports Medicine Physical Therapy in the Chicagoland Area
Get Back to the Activities That Matter to You
An injury can interrupt more than your training schedule. It can affect how you work, move, and participate in everyday life. ReLive Physical Therapy provides sports medicine physical therapy for athletes and active individuals throughout the Chicagoland area.
Whether you are recovering from an injury, rebuilding after surgery, or preparing for the demands of your sport, our team can help you work toward your goals with an individualized rehabilitation plan.
You do not have to be a competitive athlete to get started. From recreational exercise to school sports and performing arts, we help patients take the next step toward returning to the activities they enjoy.
What Is Sports Medicine Physical Therapy?
Sports medicine physical therapy focuses on evaluating and treating injuries and movement limitations related to sports, exercise, and physical activity.
Treatment may address pain, reduced mobility, muscle weakness, balance, and the movements required for your activity. It can also include preparation before surgery, conditioning, and guidance on managing the demands of training.
At ReLive Physical Therapy, your goals help shape your care. Returning to running, lifting, dancing, or playing a team sport can require different rehabilitation priorities.
Who Can Benefit From Sports Physical Therapy?
Our sports medicine services support people with a range of activity levels and goals, including:
- Student athletes participating in school or club sports.
- Runners managing discomfort or returning after an injury.
- Recreational athletes and regular gym participants.
- Dancers, cheerleaders, and performing artists.
- Athletes recovering from orthopedic surgery.
- Active adults who want to move more comfortably.
You do not need to wait until you are completely unable to participate. If pain, weakness, or limited movement is changing how you perform an activity, an evaluation can help clarify your next steps.
Sports Injuries and Concerns We Address
Knee Injuries and ACL Rehabilitation
Running Injuries and Repetitive Stress
Shoulder and Overhead Injuries
Tennis Elbow and Tendon-Related Pain
Ankle Instability, Sprains, and Strains
Dance, Cheerleading, and Performing Arts Injuries
Rehabilitation After Surgery or a Fracture
Knee Injuries and ACL Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation can address strength, mobility, balance, and movement control following a knee injury or surgery. Your plan will account for your stage of recovery, activity goals, and any surgical restrictions.
Running Injuries and Repetitive Stress
Repeated training demands can contribute to discomfort that interferes with activity. An evaluation can help identify relevant movement limitations and guide a plan for rehabilitation and activity progression.
Shoulder and Overhead Injuries
Throwing, serving, swimming, and lifting place different demands on the upper body. Treatment can focus on the strength, mobility, and control needed for your activity.
Tennis Elbow and Tendon-Related Pain
Elbow and other tendon-related symptoms can affect both sports and everyday tasks. Your therapist can evaluate the activities that provoke discomfort and discuss appropriate rehabilitation options.
Ankle Instability, Sprains, and Strains
Rehabilitation may include exercises for mobility, strength, balance, and control, with progression based on your symptoms and recovery.
Dance, Cheerleading, and Performing Arts Injuries
These activities involve specific demands on flexibility, balance, strength, and coordination. Your treatment goals can reflect the movements needed for practice and performance.
Rehabilitation After Surgery or a Fracture
Following medical clearance, physical therapy can help address limitations that remain during recovery. Treatment follows applicable precautions and guidance from your medical team.
A Treatment Plan Built Around Your Activity
Your rehabilitation should reflect what you need to do—not simply where you feel pain.
At ReLive Physical Therapy, your evaluation helps guide the combination of exercises, hands-on care, and activity recommendations included in your plan. Depending on your needs and provider availability, treatment options may include:
Strength and mobility exercises
Exercises selected to address limitations relevant to your recovery and activity goals.
Manual therapy and soft tissue techniques
Hands-on treatment when appropriate as part of your rehabilitation.
Movement and gait assessment
Evaluation of how you move, with video gait analysis when appropriate and available.
Balance and coordination training
Activities that address control and stability for everyday movement and sports participation.
Additional treatment options
Dry needling, blood flow restriction training, and taping may be considered when clinically appropriate. Your therapist will explain the purpose, suitability, and any relevant risks of recommended treatments.
Not every patient needs every treatment. Your plan should evolve with your progress.
Working Toward a Return to Sport
Feeling better during everyday activities is an important milestone, but your sport may require more demanding movements.
Running, jumping, changing direction, throwing, or performing repeated movements can require a gradual progression. Your therapist can help you work toward those demands through exercises and activity-specific rehabilitation.
Return-to-sport planning considers your symptoms, function, recovery stage, and any medical restrictions. When appropriate, ReLive coordinates with athletic trainers and school or club personnel to support your care.
The goal is a return guided by your progress, with clear expectations about the next steps.
Preparing for Activity and Addressing Injury Risk
Sports physical therapy is not limited to rehabilitation after an injury.
ReLive also offers support for preparation, conditioning, and movement concerns that may affect participation. This can include addressing strength or mobility limitations, discussing training demands, and preparing for rehabilitation before a planned procedure.
No program can eliminate the possibility of injury. An individualized approach can help you better understand your current abilities and the demands of your chosen activity.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Tell Us About Your Injury and Goals
Share when your symptoms started, which activities are difficult, and what you want to return to doing. Bring any relevant instructions from your physician or surgeon.
Review Your Movement and Function
Your therapist will assess the areas relevant to your concerns. This may include mobility, strength, balance, and movements associated with your sport or daily routine.
Discuss Your Rehabilitation Plan
Your therapist will explain the findings and recommended next steps. Ask about treatment options, home exercises, activity modifications, and how progress will be measured.
Build on Your Progress
Your plan can be adjusted as your abilities and symptoms change. Rehabilitation should provide a clear connection between what you are working on and the activities you want to resume.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Medicine Physical Therapy
Do I need to be an athlete to receive care?
No. Sports physical therapy can support recreational exercisers, active adults, and people whose symptoms began during physical activity. Your goals may involve organized sports, regular workouts, or simply returning to comfortable movement.
Can you help with an older injury?
An evaluation can help determine whether physical therapy is appropriate for ongoing pain, weakness, or movement limitations related to a previous injury. Your therapist may recommend additional medical evaluation when needed.
Do you provide rehabilitation after sports-related surgery?
ReLive offers postoperative physical therapy. Your rehabilitation plan will take your procedure, surgeon’s instructions, and stage of healing into account.
How long will rehabilitation take?
Recovery timelines vary based on the injury, your starting abilities, medical restrictions, and the demands of your activity. Your therapist can discuss expectations after evaluating you and update the plan as you progress.
Can I keep exercising during physical therapy?
That depends on your injury and treatment plan. Ask your therapist which activities are appropriate, which may need modification, and whether you have restrictions from your medical provider.
How will I know when I can return to my sport?
Return decisions should consider more than pain relief alone. Your therapist can assess relevant abilities and discuss progression with you and, when appropriate, your medical team. Some injuries or procedures require clearance from your physician or surgeon.
Do I need a referral, and will insurance cover treatment?
Referral requirements and insurance benefits can vary. Contact ReLive before scheduling to discuss appointment requirements and payment questions, and confirm coverage details with your insurance provider.
Are all sports medicine treatments available at every location?
Specialized treatment and provider availability may vary. Our team can help confirm which clinic is appropriate for your needs.
Find Sports Physical Therapy in the Chicagoland Area
Consistent care is easier to plan when your clinic fits your routine. ReLive Physical Therapy serves patients throughout the Chicagoland area through a network of local clinics.
Whether you prefer appointments near home, work, or school, our team can help you find a convenient location and confirm the services available there.
Explore our locations for clinic addresses and contact information, or call (630) 339-3849 for help arranging an evaluation.
Services Offered
Aquatic Physical Therapy
Patients love our aquatic therapy! It is easier on your joints and muscles as you get moving again. Aquatic therapy is fun and effective! Learn more here
Auto Accident Physical Therapy
Have you been in a car, truck or motorcycle accident? Whiplash, back pain, headaches - ReLive treats it all! Call us today.
Balance & Fall Prevention
It can be difficult to keep our balance and falls become more common as we age. Check out ReLive's Balance & Fall Prevention program to reduce those risks.
Certified Hand Therapy
Hand injuries can be a difficult area to achieve 100% recovery. However, our hand therapists are known for spectacular results.
Dry Needling
Dry needling is becoming more and more popular for injury and muscle recovery due to immediate relief. See one of our certified dry needling experts today!
Free Injury Screening
ake advantage of our Free Injury Screening offer. One of our PT's will be able to tell you and show you how we can help you get back to full mobility.
Manual Therapy
ReLive's dedicated 1:1 therapy ensures you get manual therapies done thoroughly. Tired of being treated in groups? Call ReLive today!
Post-Surgery Physical Therapy
PT after surgery ensures that you recovery fully and get the maximum range of motion. Get better faster with ReLive's post surgery program.
Sports Medicine
With our passionate sports medicine physical therapists, you'll be back in the game and top performance in no time. Call today to learn more.
Vestibular Therapy
Do you suffer from vertigo or dizziness? Did you know that physical therapy can help long & short term? Learn how we can help eliminate vertigo.
Women’s Health & Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
We have specialty therapists fluent in women's health therapy, including pelvic floor and other treatment needs. Call ReLive today to learn more!
Work Injury Therapy
Physical therapy after a work injury is essential for preventing long-term damage. Our therapists will get you recovered and ready for work.

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Get started on your journey to healing
Take the Next Step Toward Getting Back in the Game
Whether your goal is returning to competition, resuming your workouts, or moving more comfortably, start with a conversation about what is holding you back.
Call (630) 339-3849 or request an appointment online. A Patient Service Advocate will follow up to confirm scheduling details and help coordinate care at an appropriate location.















