Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Preventive Physiotherapy Gains Ground Among Young Athletes and Gym-Goers
Physiotherapy can help people avoid injuries, not just recover from them.
Dr Vaibhavi Pathade says more young people are asking for advice before they get hurt.
Some gym-goers lift weights that are too heavy or train mainly to show off.
This can hurt the spine, shoulders or knees.
The body works like a connected chain, so a problem in one area can put extra pressure on another.
Old injuries can still matter even when the pain is gone.
Rest, balance, movement practice and proper nutrition are important parts of staying healthy.
Athletes may also need to rebuild confidence before returning to sport.
Pathade says recovery should be treated as part of training rather than as wasted time.
Dr Vaibhavi Pathade says more young gym-goers, runners and athletes are seeking physiotherapy to prevent injuries.
Improperly lifting heavier weights and training for appearance can contribute to spine, shoulder and knee injuries.
Pathade says the body works as a kinetic chain, meaning weakness or limited movement in one area can overload another.
Previous injuries, incomplete rehabilitation, fatigue and insufficient recovery can increase the risk of reinjury.
Female athletes may face the female athlete triad, involving low energy availability, menstrual disturbances and low bone mass.
- Who
- Sports physiotherapist Dr Vaibhavi Pathade and the young gym-goers, runners and athletes she discusses.
- What
- The growing use of preventive physiotherapy to reduce training injuries and support safer athletic performance.
- When
- The shift toward preventive care has become more noticeable over the past one to two years.
- Where
- The discussion covers gyms and sports settings, with Pathade comparing her experiences in Nagpur and Mumbai.
- Why
- Young people are training harder and may face injuries from excessive loads, poor movement, fatigue, inadequate recovery or insufficient nutrition.
- Expert
- Dr Vaibhavi Pathade, sports physiotherapist
- Recent trend
- More young people are seeking guidance before pain or injury forces them to stop
- Common gym injuries
- Spine, shoulder and knee injuries
- ACL rehabilitation
- Recovery after ACL surgery can take around seven to eight months or longer
- Kinetic chain
- Weakness or restricted movement in one body area can place extra load on another
- Return to sport
- Physical recovery and psychological readiness are both considered
- Female athlete triad
- Low energy availability, menstrual disturbances and low bone mass