Sports Injuries

The average athlete in the UK who takes sport seriously will suffer from some sort of sport-related injury at one time or another. These may not render the person unable to do sport, but will affect in some way their ability to give it their best shot. The average British sports enthusiast will suffer from two specific instances each year which result in sport injury.

Sources of the problem

Sports injuries can be broadly broken down into two categories, those associated with trauma, or a specific incident resulting in an acute injury, and those associated with overuse or poor technique. Acute injuries typically include: fractures, internal injuries, sprains, dislocations, contusions and strains. Overuse injuries typically include: stress fracture, shin splints, runners’ knee, etc. Muscle imbalance in adolescents is a particular problem. In these cases, the muscle tissues grow more slowly than the bones, and often take time to catch up. This results in tight muscles, hamstring problems, problems with pectorals and neck muscles. Young people who do a lot of sports are particularly prone to these problems.

How it can be treated, and what to expect at the physiotherapy clinic

Whatever happens, trying to exercise away, or “run off” a sports injury is the last thing you should do. Aside from the first aid treatment you might require if an injury comes on very suddenly, clearly the next step is to receive an accurate diagnosis of the problem. We treat soft tissues and joint-related sports injuries from any sports. Typically, this will be from the initial, acute phase, through to final rehabilitation and full return to fitness. Aside from treating the injury itself, we can advise on warming up techniques, muscle imbalance and so on. We can correct these problems with a series of stretching and postural advice.

Prevention methods

Working back to the notion of the two types of sports injuries, prevention revolves around reducing the risk of trauma injury by assessing the condition of the pitch and the playing surface, the condition of any safety equipment and the qualifications of any staff on hand. Prevention or limitation of overuse injuries requires looking at any external factors such as type of footwear used and running surface. Warming up before any sports can also lessen the impact of a traumatic injury.

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Back Pain

Nearly two thirds of the population of the UK have experienced back pain which affects their ability to carry out daily tasks such as lifting or bending. 2.5 million people suffer back pain every day of the week. More working days are lost in this country through back pain than for any other reason.

Sources of the problem

It is not surprising that our backs cause most of the problems. Muscles in the back come into play during almost all movements we make, working against gravity to move us in the way we want to move. Back problems can be caused by acute and specific causes such as a fall or a road accident, but are more commonly caused by a gradual build-up of symptoms which increase over time. There is generally a fundamental difference in the treatment of back pain caused by injury than that caused by a condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or Ankylosing spondylitis.

How it can be treated, and what to expect at the physiotherapy clinic

Although there are a range of measures you can take to prevent back pain and to ease the symptoms, the Chartered Physiotherapist’s extensive training in anatomy and physiology means we are all experts in helping you understand what’s gone wrong, and how best to treat it. The most common causes of chronic pain are muscular or involve ligaments, joints, a trapped nerve or a disc. When you visit the Physiotherapist, they will carry out an extensive assessment before commencing treatment. This will include a discussion about your work, your leisure activities, and other aspects which could have caused the pain. You can expect a treatment which does not involve drugs, injections or complex machinery. Physiotherapy is still largely a hand-on profession. We will look at mobilisation of the joints of the spine, to see whether this causes or relieves the pain.

Massage helps to relieve spasm, increase circulation to the injured areas and help speed up the healing process. To some extent it is also down to you, you will be asked to carry out specific exercises to strengthen muscles and improve muscle support. Pilates exercises are effective in toning up your deep stomach muscles. Our physiotherapists are trained in Pilates and can give you individual advice and exercises.

Prevention methods

Don’t bend over for long periods of time, or bend when you could kneel or squat

Always warm up before you do any sport or exercise

Take time to improve your muscle tone, contract your stomach muscles for a few minutes each day

Always gently stretch backwards when you stand after having been bent over for some time

Whenever you sit, keep an eye on your posture to ensure your back is straight. Adjust your chair if necessary If lifting heavy or awkward objects, do bend your knees, not your back

Above all, call us! Whether it is to discuss your symptoms, or to discuss various aspects of your treatment, we will be happy to help.

Sports Injuries

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Back Pain