Sports Physical Therapy FAQ in Eagan, MN

Look for a physical therapist who understands both injury rehabilitation and the demands of your sport. At First Touch Performance Rehab in Eagan, athletes work one-on-one with Dr. Calvin Mai, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS—a Board-Certified Sports Physical Therapist, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, former Division I soccer athlete and former Minnesota United FC team physical therapist. Care combines sports rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, objective testing, and sport-specific training to help athletes return to competition prepared for the demands of their sport.

First Touch Performance Rehab specializes in soccer physical therapy and performance rehabilitation in Eagan, MN, serving athletes throughout the Twin Cities. Dr. Calvin Mai is a former Division I soccer player, USSF-licensed coach and former Minnesota United FC team physical therapist with experience working with soccer players from youth through the professional level. Common soccer injuries treated include ACL injuries, hamstring and groin strains, ankle sprains, knee pain and other injuries that can limit sprinting, cutting, kicking and returning to play.

First Touch Performance Rehab provides ACL rehabilitation and return-to-sport physical therapy in Eagan, Minnesota for youth, high school, collegiate and competitive athletes. ACL rehab progresses from restoring knee mobility and strength to running, jumping, sprinting, change of direction and sport-specific training. Objective performance testing is used throughout the rehabilitation process to identify remaining deficits and help determine when an athlete is ready to safely progress toward practice and competition.

We treat a wide range of sports and orthopedic injuries involving the knee, hip, groin, ankle, foot, shoulder, back and lower extremity. Common conditions include ACL tears, meniscus injuries, knee pain, hamstring strains, groin strains, ankle sprains, Achilles injuries, running-related injuries, shoulder injuries and post-operative rehabilitation. Treatment is individualized based on your injury, sport, goals and current level of performance rather than using the same rehabilitation program for every athlete.

Sports physical therapy goes beyond reducing pain and restoring basic movement. The goal is to prepare the athlete for the strength, speed, power, jumping, sprinting and change-of-direction demands of sport. At First Touch Performance Rehab, rehabilitation progresses from restoring mobility and strength into higher-level athletic movements and return-to-sport training. This performance-based approach helps bridge the gap between traditional physical therapy and being fully prepared to practice, compete and perform at a high level.

Return-to-sport decisions should involve more than simply being pain-free or reaching a certain number of months after an injury. At First Touch Performance Rehab, return-to-sport testing uses objective performance measures along with clinical assessment to evaluate strength, power, movement quality and the ability to tolerate sport-specific demands. For competitive athletes, rehabilitation can also progress into running, sprinting, jumping, deceleration and change-of-direction activities so readiness is evaluated against what the athlete actually needs to do in competition.

Yes. First Touch Performance Rehab offers sports performance training in Eagan, MN for athletes who want to improve strength, speed, power, agility and overall athletic performance. Training can be used as the final bridge from rehabilitation back to full performance or by healthy athletes looking to improve performance and reduce injury risk. Programs can include strength and power development, acceleration, sprinting, deceleration and change-of-direction training while applying principles from sports physical therapy and evidence-based strength and conditioning.

Your first appointment is a one-on-one sports physical therapy evaluation designed to identify what is limiting your recovery or performance. We review your injury history, symptoms, sport and goals before assessing areas such as mobility, strength and movement. From there, we develop an individualized rehabilitation plan and begin treatment. For athletes, the evaluation also considers the physical demands required to return to training and competition so rehabilitation is built around more than simply reducing pain.

In many cases, you can begin physical therapy in Minnesota without first getting a physician referral. This is known as direct access and allows athletes to be evaluated and start appropriate treatment sooner. Minnesota law does include referral requirements in certain circumstances, including some episodes of care extending beyond the initial 90 days. If your injury requires imaging, a surgical consultation or evaluation from another medical provider, First Touch Performance Rehab can also help coordinate appropriate sports medicine care.

First Touch Performance Rehab is a cash-based, out-of-network physical therapy practice and does not bill insurance directly. This allows each appointment to focus on individualized, one-on-one care without treatment being dictated by insurance limitations. HSA and FSA payments are accepted, and we can provide a detailed superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Coverage varies by insurance plan, so patients should contact their insurer to determine their individual out-of-network benefits.