Achieve peak performance with the help of sports physiotherapist

Seek knowledge and advice from PT Mayank Pushkar

Delve into the ways in which physical therapy can improve accessibility and quality of life. Focus on the importance of physical therapy in sports and the ways in which it can help individuals achieve their goals safely and effectively.

Mayank Pushkar

Who did we Interview?

Physiotherapist Mayank Pushkar has thirteen years of professional work experience. He served the Jharkhand Government for three years before moving on to the Sports Authority of India, where he worked with the Martial Arts Team, the Blind Cricket Team (Andhra Cricket Team), and the Physically Handicapped Cricket Team at the IG STADIUM in New Delhi. He is currently working as a Sports Physiotherapist for the Indian Blind Cricket Team.

Starting with the Questionnaire

Question 1: What are some of the common injuries or conditions that the Indian Blind Cricket Team players face?

We have players in the B1 Category (Completely Blind), B2 Category (Partial Blind), and B3 Category (Low Vision) categories in our Blind Cricket Team. Different category players sustain injuries of various kinds, but B1 category players are most vulnerable to falls when fielding, injuries to any area due to a ball hit, and colloidal injuries while running.

More common injuries are Shoulder Injuries, Knee Injuries especially ligament injuries, Ankle injuries, and back strain.

Also, Shin splint pain is more common in the initial phase of camp as they don’t get a chance to practice around the year.

Question 2: What kind of rehabilitation and recovery programs do you implement to help players return to the field after an injury?

Rehabilitation comes from the Latin word Re- which means ‘again’ and habitare- which means ‘make fit’. Rehabilitation enables players to maintain and return to their sports in order to maintain their performance and game.

We start the rehabilitation process as early as possible, depending on the injuries. Our main goal is to limit the extent of the injury, reduce or reverse the impairment and functional loss, and also prevent and correct those functional losses and the functional outcome of performance.

We use a multidisciplinary approach for rehabilitation to return the player to the field again.

I use the following principles of rehabilitation- ATC IS IT

A- Avoid Aggravation of the injuries during the rehabilitation process by not putting more pressure and force on the injured area.

T- Timing to start with Rehabilitation. Depending on the type of injury we start the rehabilitation process without delaying it.

C- Compliance. We set the goals of rehabilitation, including players’ decisions and consent, which work as motivational factors for early recovery.

I- Individualization. The result of rehabilitation depends on individual players, so we plan the rehabilitation protocol specifically for individual players and injuries.

S- Specific Sequencing. We plan a specific sequence or set of exercises and treatments depending on the injuries.

I- Intensity. The intensity of exercises also depends on the player’s capabilities and their recovery process.

T- Total Patient. We treat the player as a whole. Along with the affected area of injuries, we also try to focus on other body parts so that their overall performance should not be affected later on once they come back to the infield.

We employ a variety of holistic techniques, which include Basic Electrotherapy, Soft Tissue Release (Dry Needling, Cupping, IASTM), and taping for support and pain relief. We also offer strengthening exercises as well as strength and conditioning.

Question 3: How do you stay up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in sports physiotherapy?

In order to keep myself updated with the latest research and new rehabilitation protocols, I always try to refer to new journals and research in the field of sports physiotherapy. Also, I try to keep a record of all the injuries and do case studies and research on them, which keeps my knowledge up to date for better results. Reading good books is my hobby, which also helps me improve my knowledge about sports injuries daily.

Question 4: What are some of the most common misconceptions that people have about sports physiotherapy?

The most common misconception people have about sports physiotherapy is that they only see the glamorous side of our profession on social media, where we live in five-star hotels and fly from one city to another, which they find very fashionable, but they never see the part where we work day and night to get athletes ready to return to the field. In order to play the game the very following day, we travel at night. We have to make compromises regarding our comfort and work daily to adapt to new environments. However, the public only sees our positive side. We constantly have to overcome obstacles and problems on the other side.

Question 5: What kind of services do you offer at your clinic, and how do you tailor your treatment plans to meet the needs of individual patients?

My center is named Pushkar’s Sports Physio Hub, and it is situated in Patel Nagar, Gurgaon. At our clinic, we provide treatment for all types of sports injuries, musculoskeletal conditions, neurological problems, pediatric conditions, geriatric conditions, and antenatal and postnatal services. We have a team of specialized physiotherapists which is the USP of our clinic.

We offer different advanced treatments including Class 4 Laser, All Advanced Electrotherapy, Complete Sports Rehabilitation, Dry Needling, Taping, Cupping Therapy (Including Hijama and Electro cupping), IASTM, Osteopathy, and Chiropractic Treatment, and Complete Manual Therapy.

We also make an effort to focus more on rehabilitation exercises, which are essential to any form of treatment.

To wrap up

Highly passionate about physiotherapy, Mayank Pushkar is currently working as a sports physiotherapist for Indian Blind Cricket Team. He completed a Bachelor’s in Physiotherapy from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore. Thereafter, he pursued a Master of Physiotherapy from Sheffield Hallam University, UK, in 2012. Mayank is also the director of Pushkar’s Sports Physio Hub and Pushkar’s Healthcare Private Ltd.

He is a certified international instructor for Dry Needling, Taping, Cupping & Hijama Therapy, and IASTM and has trained more than 250 batches of physiotherapists.

Adding more to his accomplishments, he has trained more than 9000 physiotherapists all over India and abroad to date. He has treated approx 16K+ patients so far.

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Ready to step into the physiotherapy world?

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Ready to step into the physiotherapy world?