What is Sports Therapy?

Sports Therapy is an aspect of healthcare that is specifically concerned with the prevention of injury and the rehabilitation of the patient back to optimum levels of functional, occupational and sports specific fitness, regardless of age and ability.

It utilises the principles of sport and exercise sciences incorporating physiological and pathological processes to prepare the participant for training, competition and where applicable, work.

What is a Sports Injury Specialist?

A Sports Injury Specialist is a practitioner who:

1. Has the knowledge and ability to provide first aid and attend to injuries in a recreational, training and competitive environment.
2. Has the knowledge and ability to assess and, where appropriate, refer on for specialist advice and intervention.
3. Has the knowledge and ability to provide sports massage pre and post activity.
4. Has the knowledge and ability to implement appropriate rehabilitation programmes.
5. Has the knowledge to utilise sports and exercise principles to optimise preparation and injury prevention programmes.

Multi-disciplinary Team

A Sports Injury Specialist is an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team necessary to provide the best care, management and rehabilitation for sport and recreational participants, regardless of age and ability.

On first contact, you can expect an informal consultation allowing us to meet and for me to understand your symptoms. We will discuss your personal details and medical history to ground a full understanding as to the reasons behind any injury.

Following that, I would make a physical assessment which is likely to include; movement of joints, muscle tests, ligament stress tests and palpitation. From there I will be able to give you a professional diagnosis, the causes of the pain and the steps we would undertake in order to improve it. I will explain the techniques I will use and how they will help.

Some of these techniques may be:

Electrotherapy: A general term applied to treatment in which sound, heat, light and other forms of electromagnetic energy, are applied to the body.

Sports Specific Massage: Six basic forms, pre-event, inter-event, post-event, post-travel, maintenance massage and as a specific treatment.

Advanced Deep Tissue Massage: Incorporating classical massage techniques, remedial exercise, advice and soft tissue manipulation, STR (Soft Tissue Release), MET (Muscle Energy Techniques).

Manipulation & Mobilisation Techniques: A variety of hands on techniques to mobilize the joints and increase the range of movement back to the body's pain free limits.