Bursitis, a painful inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs cushioning our joints, can impact mobility. This common condition often affects major joints like the shoulders, elbows, and knees, making daily tasks,
The Female Athlete Triad & How Physical Therapy Helps Girls Grow Strong
October 9, 2025 3:44 pm / Category: Laguna Niguel , Rausch Physical Therapy
As girls grow and step into competitive sports, their bodies go through a lot of changes. For young female athletes, balancing the demands of school, practice, competition, and growing bodies isn’t always easy. One challenge that often goes unnoticed is the Female Athlete Triad—a condition that can affect health, performance, and long-term well-being.
At Rausch PT, we’re passionate about helping athletes of all ages move better, recover faster, and build lifelong healthy habits. That’s why early awareness and support around this issue are so important.
1. What Is the Female Athlete Triad?
The Female Athlete Triad is a combination of three interconnected concerns:
- Energy Deficiency: Not getting enough calories or nutrients to fuel both growth and training.
- Menstrual Dysfunction: Irregular or absent menstrual cycles due to energy imbalance.
- Low Bone Density: Higher risk of stress fractures and weaker bones over time.
Even if only one piece of this triad is present, it can impact an athlete’s overall health and performance.
2. How Physical Therapy Supports Young Athletes
Physical therapy is about more than just recovering from injury—it’s about prevention, performance, and confidence. Here’s how we help:
- Early Recognition: PTs spot movement issues, fatigue, or recurring injuries that could point to energy imbalance or bone stress.
- Strength & Movement Training: We guide athletes through safe strength programs to protect joints and build stronger bones.
- Education & Collaboration: Our therapists partner with parents, coaches, and nutrition experts to make sure athletes are fueling and training the right way.
- Healthy Habits: We help athletes learn body awareness, balance training loads, and build sustainable routines—skills that carry into adulthood.
3. Why Mental Health Matters Too
Sports aren’t just physically demanding—they’re mentally challenging as well. Confidence, mindset, and resilience all play a role in how young athletes perform and recover.
For parents looking to support both the body and mind, we recommend these great podcast episodes from The Elite Competitor:
- Helping Your Athlete Handle Negative Coaching So It Doesn’t Tear Down Her Confidence
- 3 Tools to Help Your Athlete Overcome Mental Blocks
- Why Mental Toughness Is Overrated—And What to Do Instead
Pairing physical support with mental strategies helps girls grow not just as athletes—but as strong, confident young women.
4. Takeaway: Strong Bodies, Strong Futures
The Female Athlete Triad can be serious, but with the right guidance and care, young athletes can thrive. Physical therapy gives girls the tools to stay healthy, prevent injury, and build confidence as they grow.
At Rausch PT & Wellness, we’re here to support your athlete’s journey every step of the way—whether it’s injury prevention, recovery, or building a strong foundation for future success.
📞 Want to learn more about supporting your young athlete? Call us at (949) 276-5401 or stop by Rausch PT to talk with our team.
👉 Check out The Elite Competitor’s free training on how to best support your girl athlete with confidence, encouragement, and the tools she needs to thrive.
