Empowerment Physical Therapy

Sports Injury Physical Therapy

Sports Injury Physical Therapy

In Yonkers & Staten Island, NY — Helping Athletes Recover Faster, Perform at Their Best, and Stay in the Game

If you’ve been dealing with a recent or lingering sports injury, it’s easy to ignore the pain and try to push through. But without proper treatment, recovery can stall, leaving you frustrated and stuck.
At Empowerment Physical Therapy in Yonkers, we help athletes of all levels recover faster and return to the sport they love. Starting care early—sometimes as soon as the next day—can make all the difference.

Still Struggling With a Sports Injury That Won’t Heal? Here's Why

It’s frustrating when an old injury keeps flaring up or a recent one just won’t heal like you expected. Maybe it seemed minor at first, so you pushed through it or hoped rest would be enough—but now the pain lingers, and you’re still not moving like you used to.

Many people try to manage sports injuries with rest, ice, or painkillers, only to find the problem keeps coming back or even gets worse. If your injury is holding you back from staying active, working out, or playing the sport you love, it could be a sign that the root cause hasn’t been properly addressed.

Why Is This Happening To Me?

Many people believe that a sports injury will heal on its own with just a few days of rest—but when they return to their sport or workout, the pain often comes right back, sometimes worse than before. It’s common to be told to “take it easy,” wear a brace, or try painkillers, and hope it improves with time. But without proper treatment, rest alone usually doesn’t resolve the root issue—especially when the true source of the pain might be coming from somewhere unexpected, like the hip instead of the lower back. This can lead to a frustrating cycle of temporary relief followed by recurring pain, and for many, it becomes difficult to know what to do next or who to trust.

The confusion often causes people to delay taking action, which only makes the problem harder to fix. Eventually, some start to believe that being active just isn’t possible anymore, that their body is simply too injured or too old to bounce back—but that’s rarely true. The longer an injury is left untreated, the more it limits mobility, affects other areas of the body, and stops you from doing what you love most.

Book cover: '7 Secret Recovery Strategies That Only the Pro Athletes Know and Use' by Dr. Shi Feng Lin

Want To Learn More About Your Sports Injuries?

Here Are 7 Common Reasons Why Lingering Sports Injury Be Taking Longer Than It Should

    • You Thought Rest Would Be Enough. Many people believe that sports injuries will heal on their own with a few days of rest. But if you’re still in pain weeks later, it’s a sign that something deeper needs attention—rest alone often isn’t enough to truly fix the issue.

    • Followed the Doctor’s Orders, but Nothing Changed. You were told to rest, take painkillers, and maybe wear a brace. But the moment the medication wore off, the pain returned. Unfortunately, this approach only masks symptoms—it doesn’t solve what’s causing the pain.

    • You Were Told It’s ‘Normal’ with Age. Maybe a friend or family member said, “That’s just what happens when you get older.” But just because you’re aging doesn’t mean you have to accept pain or give up your favorite activities. There’s almost always a better solution.

    • Previous Treatments That Didn’t Work. You might have already seen another healthcare professional or even tried physical therapy before, but you didn’t feel any lasting improvement. That doesn’t mean you’re beyond help—it just means the root cause wasn’t addressed properly.

    • Tried Home Remedies with Little Relief. Heat pads, ice packs, compression braces, and athletic supports may ease discomfort temporarily, but they rarely fix the underlying issue. Without expert guidance, these quick fixes often lead to ongoing pain and frustration.

    • You’ve Been Resting, but Still Feel Stiff or Sore. If you took a break from movement because of the pain, only to find that it still aches or stiffens daily, it could mean your muscles and joints are weakening. Too much rest can actually make recovery harder and delay healing.

    • Got a Massage, but the Pain Came Back. Sports massages might have helped you feel relaxed or slightly better for a day or two. But if the pain always returns, it’s a sign that the deeper problem—like joint stiffness, muscle imbalance, or poor movement patterns—hasn’t been corrected.

Here Are 7 Common Reasons Why Lingering Sports Injury Be Taking Longer Than It Should

  • You Thought Rest Would Be Enough. Many people believe that sports injuries will heal on their own with a few days of rest. But if you’re still in pain weeks later, it’s a sign that something deeper needs attention—rest alone often isn’t enough to truly fix the issue.

  • Followed the Doctor’s Orders, but Nothing Changed. You were told to rest, take painkillers, and maybe wear a brace. But the moment the medication wore off, the pain returned. Unfortunately, this approach only masks symptoms—it doesn’t solve what’s causing the pain.

  • You Were Told It’s ‘Normal’ with Age. Maybe a friend or family member said, “That’s just what happens when you get older.” But just because you’re aging doesn’t mean you have to accept pain or give up your favorite activities. There’s almost always a better solution.

  • Previous Treatments That Didn’t Work. You might have already seen another healthcare professional or even tried physical therapy before, but you didn’t feel any lasting improvement. That doesn’t mean you’re beyond help—it just means the root cause wasn’t addressed properly.

  • Tried Home Remedies with Little Relief. Heat pads, ice packs, compression braces, and athletic supports may ease discomfort temporarily, but they rarely fix the underlying issue. Without expert guidance, these quick fixes often lead to ongoing pain and frustration.

  • You’ve Been Resting, but Still Feel Stiff or Sore. If you took a break from movement because of the pain, only to find that it still aches or stiffens daily, it could mean your muscles and joints are weakening. Too much rest can actually make recovery harder and delay healing.

  • Got a Massage, but the Pain Came Back. Sports massages might have helped you feel relaxed or slightly better for a day or two. But if the pain always returns, it’s a sign that the deeper problem—like joint stiffness, muscle imbalance, or poor movement patterns—hasn’t been corrected.

If you’ve followed your program but your pain continues to worsen, getting a second opinion can be a smart next step. Our team at Empowerment Physical Therapy specializes in identifying the root cause of your knee pain and creating safe, personalized recovery plans that actually work.

Here Are 4 Effective Steps to Recover From a Sports Injury

  • Stop Waiting and Take Action. Many people delay getting help, hoping the pain will just go away. But weeks—or even months—pass, and the pain is still there or getting worse. Making a clear decision to seek professional help is the first and most important step to fully recovering and returning to the activities you enjoy.
  • Follow the Right Exercise Plan. Doing the correct exercises is key to a safe and lasting recovery. A Physical Therapist can create a personalized exercise plan that reduces pain, restores strength, and helps you return to sport or exercise without fear of the injury coming back.
  • Don’t Rely on Too Much Rest. Resting too much can actually slow down your recovery. While short-term rest is sometimes needed, movement and guided exercises improve blood flow and help your body heal. The right balance of rest and rehab is essential for a faster, stronger recovery.
  • Choose Hands-On Physical Therapy. Hands-on treatment from a licensed Physical Therapist is proven to help people recover from sports injuries faster. At Empowerment Physical Therapy, we specialize in helping adults stay active, avoid surgery, and regain their independence—without relying on painkillers or long-term rest.

If you would like to know how the Empowerment Team can help you live with less pain from sports injuries, we invite you to start with a completely free, no-obligation, risk-free visits– online or in person:

Note: This Free Taster Session is something that we offer to people who are very nervous or sceptical about Physical Therapy – unsure of its benefits or if it is right for them. If that sounds like you, then please start with a free taster session so that we can work with you to find out what is wrong and what can be done – without any financial risk on your part.

Why Choose Empowerment Physical Therapy

At Empowerment Physical Therapy, we specialize in treating pain through individualized and evidence-based care. Our experienced team takes the time to understand your unique challenges, your lifestyle, and your personal goals. We don’t believe in cookie-cutter solutions. Instead, we create a custom plan designed to help you. Here’s Why you should choose us:

Your Recovery Starts Here

Don’t let pain or discomfort hold you back. At Empowerment Physical Therapy, we’re here to support your journey toward strength, balance, and freedom of movement.


Book your appointment today! Let’s get you back to doing what you love.

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Kyle Denver A. Delposo, Customer Specialist

Hey there! Kumusta?! I’m Kyle, an upbeat and adventurous person who loves creating positive experiences for others. I thrive on tackling challenges with a smile, always going the extra mile to find solutions and meet people’s needs. Passionate about personal growth and eager for new adventures.

  • Qualifications: Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy
  • Born: Cebu City
  • Now Lives: Cebu City
  • Place: Swiss Alps 🏔️
  • Restaurant: Jollibee
  • Holiday: Christmas 🎄
  • City: Barcelona
  • Movie: Pursuite of Happiness
  • Celebrity: Hugh Jackman
  • Book: Man's Search For Meaning
  • Sports: Basketball, Table Tennis, Soccer, Badminton
  • Hobbies: Reading Books, Diving, Hiking.
  • Team:  Golden State Warriors ⛹️
  • TV Show: The Good Doctor
  • Food: Burrito 🌯

Dr. Emily Dickenson, Physical Therapy

Hi! I’m Dr. Em. I’m passionate about getting individuals back to doing what they love - while having a world class experience. I live with my 2 cats (Nemo and Fig) and my partner in Queens. When I’m not in the clinic you can catch me tending to my garden sipping on my favorite coffee.

  • Qualifications: Doctorate of Physical Therapy
  • Born: White Plains, NY
  • Now Lives: Astoria, Queens
  • Place: Jamestown, Rhode Island
  • Restaurant: Bernie’s in Williamsburg Brooklyn
  • Holiday: Halloween
  • City: NYC
  • Movie: Nyad
  • Celebrity: Jessica Lange
  • Book: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
  • Sports: Softball
  • Hobbies: hiking, gardening, avid beach goer, baking
  • Team:  any NY team
  • TV Show: Game of Thrones
  • Food: A classic diner breakfast

Dr. Shi-Feng Lin, Physical Therapy

Made in China and have lived in New York City since 9 years-old, Dr. Shi-Feng  graduated from Skidmore College with a Bachelors in Health & Exercise Science in 2010. He went on to pursue his Doctorate of Physical Therapy and graduated from Sage Graduate School in 2013. He has worked in an orthopedic outpatient private practice since graduation and has developed an eclectic approach in his treatment philosophy from his extensive pursue in continuing education.

When he’s not treating, Shi Feng likes to stay active and plays in a friday league basketball, exploring rivers/lakes with his inflatable kayak.  

  • Qualifications: Doctorate of Physical Therapy
  • Born: China
  • Now Lives: New York City
  • Certifications:
    Applied Prevention & Health Promotion Therapist
    Functional Movement Screen (FMS)
    Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA)
    Certified Titleist Performance Institute
  • Hobbies: kayaking, biking, hiking, camping
  • Team:  San Antonio Spurs and New York Giants
  • Show: Whose Line Is It?
  • Food: Korean and Japanese