Sports injuries are an unfortunate reality for many athletes, ranging from mild sprains and strains to more serious fractures and dislocations. While the type of injury varies depending on the sport and the individual athlete, there are some common injuries that tend to occur more frequently.

Some of the sports we’ve worked with are:

  • Football
  • Rugby
  • Tennis
  • Golf
  • Cricket
  • Squash
  • Running
  • Swimming
  • Cycling
  • As well as horse riders and dancers.

Information on common sports injuries is listed below. Please contact us if you require assistance with any of these issues.

Sprains and Strains

Sprains and strains are the most common types of sports injuries, accounting for about 40% of all injuries. A sprain occurs when a ligament, which is the tissue that connects bones, is stretched or torn. A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon, which is the tissue that connects muscles to bones, is stretched or torn.

We use various forms of treatments to help improve the recovery time such as ultrasound therapy, massage and acupuncture. We have found that these treatments are incredibly beneficial. We’ll also write you up a complimentary rehabilitation programme to carry out alongside the treatment plan.

Knee Injuries

Knee injuries are another common type of sports injury, and they can range from mild sprains to more serious tears of the ligaments or cartilage. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is especially susceptible to injury, and it is often torn in sports like basketball, football, and soccer. Some of the other common knee injuries are, PCL, LCL, Meniscus and Patella Issues. ITB syndrome can also be a route cause of knee pain if untreated

We have a proven track record of helping to rehabilitate people from athletes to your general day to day person. We use our gym at the facility which has a great rehabilitation area integrated within, with top of the range equipment to guide our clients 1:1 throughout the whole process.

Ankle Injuries

Ankle injuries are also relatively common, and they are often caused by twisting or rolling the ankle. Ankle sprains are the most common type of ankle injury, but fractures can also occur. Ankle injuries are most common in people who play sports which require a lot of change of direction.

We like to treat ankle injuries with ultrasound therapy or Acupuncture coupled with tailored rehabilitation exercises in our gym, we have found this to be very successful.

Fractures and Dislocations

Fractures and dislocations are less common than sprains, strains, and overuse injuries, but they can be more serious. A fracture is a break in a bone, while a dislocation is a displacement of a bone from its joint.

The rehabilitation stage is a pivotal part of the recovery period and is essential to get right for a person to regain full strength, mobility, range of movement and any recurrence of the injury.

Rotator cuff injury

A rotator cuff injury occurs when one or more of the four muscles and tendons that surround your shoulder joint become damaged.

A rotator cuff injury occurs when one or more of the four muscles and tendons that surround your shoulder joint become damaged.

Rotator cuff muscles

These muscles, which are called the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis, help to keep your shoulder stable and move it smoothly.

Rotator cuff injuries are common, especially among people who play sports that involve overhead activities, such as baseball, swimming, tennis, and weightlifting. They can also be caused by overuse, repetitive motion, age-related wear and tear, and injuries to the shoulder joint.

Symptoms of a rotator cuff injury

The most common symptom of a rotator cuff injury is pain in the shoulder, especially when you lift your arm overhead or reach behind your back. You may also experience weakness in your shoulder and decreased range of motion.

Types of rotator cuff injuries

There are three main types of rotator cuff injuries:

  • Tendonitis: This is inflammation of the tendons that make up the rotator cuff. It is the most common type of rotator cuff injury.
  • Tendonosis: This is a more severe type of rotator cuff injury that involves degeneration of the tendons.
  • Tear: This is the most serious type of rotator cuff injury and it occurs when one or more of the tendons tears from the bone.

Diagnosis of a rotator cuff injury

Your doctor will typically diagnose a rotator cuff injury by examining your shoulder and asking you about your symptoms. They may also order imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRI scans, to confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of the injury.

Treatment of a rotator cuff injury

Treatment for a rotator cuff injury depends on the severity of the injury. For mild cases, rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medication may be all that is needed.

For more severe cases, physical therapy may be recommended to strengthen the muscles around the shoulder and improve range of motion. There are a number of tests we can do within an assessment to ascertain what the injury is and to put forward a plan of action going forward to manage and rehabilitate the injury successfully. We generally like to use Massage or acupuncture coupled with stretching and strengthening exercises to treat this injury.

Tennis elbow/Golfers elbow

Tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow , is an inflammation or degeneration of the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the elbow.

These tendons are responsible for extending the wrist and fingers, and they are often overworked and strained in activities such as tennis, golf, and racquet sports. Tennis elbow is also common in people who do a lot of repetitive wrist movements, such as carpenters, plumbers, and mechanics.

Symptoms:

The main symptoms are pain on the outside of the elbow. The pain may also extend down the forearm into the wrist and fingers. The pain is often worse when you extend your wrist or fingers against resistance.

Causes:

The most common cause is overuse of the muscles and tendons in the forearm. This can happen in activities such as tennis, golf, racquet sports, carpentry, plumbing, and mechanics.

Other causes of tennis elbow include:

  • Poor technique: Using improper technique when playing sports or doing activities that involve repetitive wrist movements can put unnecessary strain on the tendons in the forearm.
  • Weak forearm muscles: Weak forearm muscles can make it more difficult to control the wrist and fingers, which can lead to overuse of the tendons.
  • Degenerative changes: As we age, the tendons in the forearm can become weaker and more prone to injury.

Diagnosis of tennis elbow

Your doctor or therapist will typically diagnose tennis or golfers elbow by examining your elbow and asking you about your symptoms. They may also refer you for  imaging tests, such as an X-ray or MRI scan, to rule out other conditions.

Treatment for tennis elbow

Treatment for tennis elbow will depend on the severity of the injury. For mild cases, rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medication may be all that is needed.

For more severe cases, physical therapy may be recommended to strengthen the muscles around the forearm and improve range of motion. We have found that acupuncture is especially effective in treating this condition couple with stretching and strengthening exercise that we prescribe.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that causes pain in the heel and arch of the foot. It is caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes.

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis

The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain in the heel and arch of the foot. The pain is often worse in the morning when you first get out of bed and can be relieved by walking around. The pain may also worsen after exercise or prolonged periods of standing or walking.

Causes of plantar fasciitis

The most common cause of plantar fasciitis is overuse. This can happen in athletes, dancers, and people who are on their feet for long periods of time. Other causes of plantar fasciitis include:

  • Footwear: Wearing shoes that are too tight or have poor arch support can put strain on the plantar fascia.
  • Flat feet: People with flat feet tend to have more flexible arches, which can put more stress on the plantar fascia.
  • Age: Plantar fasciitis is more common in people over the age of 40.

Diagnosis of plantar fasciitis

Your therapist will typically diagnose plantar fasciitis by examining your foot and asking you about your symptoms.

Treatment for plantar fasciitis

Treatment for plantar fasciitis typically involves a combination of self-care measures and physical therapy. 

Self-care measures include:

  • Rest: Avoid activities that aggravate the pain.
  • Ice: Apply ice to the affected area for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers: Take ibuprofen or naproxen sodium to help reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Stretching: Stretch the plantar fascia regularly to help improve flexibility.

Physical therapy can also be helpful in treating plantar fasciitis. Your physical therapist can teach you specific exercises to strengthen the muscles of your foot and improve flexibility. They may also use ultrasound or Acupuncture to help reduce pain and inflammation.

If you experience pain in your foot that does not go away after a few days, see a therapist to get a diagnosis and treatment plan. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent the condition from getting worse.

Sciatica

Sciatica is a common condition that affects the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the human body. It runs from the lower back down the back of each leg to the foot. Sciatica causes pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the leg.

The sciatic nerve is formed from five spinal nerves in the lower back. It travels through the buttocks and down the back of the leg to the foot. It supplies sensation to the skin on the back of the thigh, calf, and foot, and it also controls the muscles that move the leg.

Causes of sciatica

The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc. This is when the soft, spongy material inside a spinal disc bulges out or ruptures, putting pressure on the sciatic nerve. Other causes of sciatica include:

  • Spinal stenosis: This is a narrowing of the spinal canal, which can put pressure on the sciatic nerve.
  • Degenerative disc disease: This is the wear and tear on the spinal discs that can cause them to bulge or rupture.
  • Piriformis syndrome: This is a condition in which the piriformis muscle, which lies near the sciatic nerve, becomes inflamed or compressed.
  • Lumbosacral radiculopathy: This is a general term for any condition that causes pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the lower back or leg.

Symptoms of sciatica

The main symptom of sciatica is pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg. The pain is often described as burning or shooting. It may start suddenly or gradually worsen over time. The pain usually radiates down the back of the leg, but it can also extend into the foot.

Other symptoms of sciatica may include:

  • Muscle weakness or numbness in the leg
  • Difficulty walking or standing
  • Difficulty controlling the bowels or bladder
  • Loss of sensation in the genital area

Diagnosis of sciatica

A therapist  will diagnose sciatica based on your symptoms and a physical assessment. They may also order imaging tests, such as an X-ray, MRI scan, or CT scan, to rule out other conditions.

Treatment for sciatica

The goal of treatment for sciatica is to relieve pain and restore function to the leg. Treatment options include:

  • Rest: Avoid activities that aggravate the pain.
  • Ice: Apply ice to the affected area for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers: Take ibuprofen or naproxen sodium to help reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Stretching: Stretch the muscles in your back and leg regularly to help improve flexibility.
  • Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help you strengthen the muscles in your back and leg, improve flexibility, and learn how to manage your pain.
  • Modalities such as massage, acupuncture and cupping can help to alleviate symptoms and treat the condition
  • Surgery: Surgery is rarely necessary for sciatica, but it may be an option in cases where other treatments have not been successful.