Before moving to the DMV, I spent several years in Dallas, Texas working for a company called EXOS, a world-renowned leader in sports performance and sports physical therapy. If you haven’t heard of them, EXOS works with some of the best athletes in the world. NFL players, Major League Baseball athletes, professional basketball players, and Olympians across multiple sports.
When I first started there, I assumed these elite athletes recovered faster from injuries simply because they were the best of the best. They’re in the top 1% of their sport, with incredible genetics and access to every resource imaginable. Daily rehab sessions, personalized nutrition, and world-class sports medicine teams.
And yes, all of those factors help.
But over time, I realized something bigger: what really sets these athletes apart isn’t just their access to care. It’s their approach to sports physical therapy.
1. They Start Rehab Immediately After Injury
When most people get injured, they wait.
Work, family, and other commitments get in the way, and rehab gets pushed to “next week.” But delaying treatment allows stiffness, swelling, and compensations to set in, making recovery longer and more frustrating.
Professional athletes don’t wait. They start sports physical therapy almost immediately after injury. Their therapists get the injured area moving safely and within pain-free limits right away. Early motion helps maintain mobility, reduces swelling, and speeds up recovery.
The lesson for the rest of us?
The sooner you start rehab, the sooner you’ll get back to the activities that matter most.
2. They Treat Rehab Like Training
Elite athletes view every rehab session like a workout. They track everything. Strength, volume, reps, and intensity, just like they would in the weight room. Every session has purpose and measurable progress.
At Cohen Health and Performance, that’s exactly how we approach sports physical therapy. We track objective progress through force-plate testing, strength metrics, and movement quality. Every session builds on the last, helping athletes and active adults see small, consistent gains that add up to big results over time.
The takeaway:
Your rehab shouldn’t be random. Treat it with the same focus and structure you’d give your training program.
3. They Trust the Process and Don’t Rush the Return
By the middle of every football season, nearly every player is dealing with something. Many could technically “play,” but smart teams and medical staffs know that coming back too soon increases the risk of re-injury and more time lost in the long run.
The same principle applies to anyone going through sports physical therapy. You might feel better after a few sessions, but that doesn’t mean your body is fully ready for the demands of your sport or activity. Strength, power, and control need to be rebuilt gradually so you can perform confidently without setbacks.
That’s why we test and track readiness. So you don’t just get cleared; you get truly ready.
4. They Build a Team Around Their Recovery
No professional athlete recovers alone. They have a team. Physical therapists, athletic trainers, physicians, strength coaches, and family, all communicating and working toward the same goal.
Your team might look a little different, but the principle is the same. Recovery works best when everyone is aligned: you, your physical therapist, your doctor, and even your support system at home. When everyone’s working together, you stay accountable and make steady, confident progress.
Bringing a Pro Athlete Mindset to Your Recovery
You don’t have to be a professional athlete to benefit from sports physical therapy. The same mindset that helps the pros get back on the field can help you get back to the gym, the court, or the activities you love most.
Start early.
Stay consistent.
Track your progress.
Trust the process.
And surround yourself with the right team.
If you’re looking for expert-level sports physical therapy in Bethesda or McLean, our team at Cohen Health and Performance is here to help. We work with athletes and active adults every day to recover faster, move better, and perform at their best, on and off the field.
