Sports physical therapy differs from general orthopedic physical therapy in that it requires your physical therapist to have an acute and comprehensive understanding in the various functional requirements of your sport and how it relates to movement function/dysfunction and subsequent injury. This is so extensive, in fact, that it is one of eight specialty areas the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties offers. For an athlete this means ensuring your treating therapist has the knowledge and experience to implement the most appropriate clinical skills to assess, treat, and manage your condition to quickly and safely return you to competition.