Whether you are an enthusiastic amateur, an elite professional, a gym junkie or simply like to keep-fit, sports injuries do occur. Many sport injuries are the result of overuse through playing too hard and too often, but occasionally incorrect equipment is the problem like ill-fitting footwear which can cause hip, knee and foot injury or faulty movement patterns through muscle imbalances.

Football, golf, rugby, tennis, running, cross fit, skiing, dancing, and martial arts are some of the many sports that our clients compete in and come to us for treatment. Our chartered physiotherapists are experts in analysis of movement; diagnosing the cause of the injury, leading to successful treatment planning and speedy return to fitness.

Common sports injuries include:

• Plantarfasciitis - a strain to the underside of the foot usually through the arch area or the centre of the heel

• Achilles tendonitis - a strain or tear to the tendon that runs from the back of the heel upwards to the lower calf muscle

• Shin splints - a generalised term used to cover strains and tears of soft tissue around the shin area

• Hamstring strains and tears - strains to the upper part of the back of the leg from the knee up to the gluteal muscles

• Overuse injuries - aches and pains associated with overtraining

• Ankle, knee, hip, groin and back pain - commonly associated with biomechanical alignment, core imbalance or weakness, incorrect footwear or posture related

• Back and lower back pain - depending upon physical activity from poor general posture, weak or imbalanced core, running/cycling posture or impact from sports such as rugby or football

• Shoulder strains and tears - typically overuse or overextended issues, imbalance from upper body or impact related injuries

Exercise prescription is increasing being shown by research to be one of the most effective methods of both improving and removing pain and preventing re-occurrence following an injury.

A tailored exercise programme will be structured for you by your Physiotherapistm, based on their findings from your extensive clinical assessment. This will empower you to facilitate your recovery, manage symptoms and prevent future problems. 

Components of effective exercise prescription

• Type of exercise or activity that compliments your treatment goals with an understanding of the current restrictions of your injury / problem

• Specific workloads e.g. how intense the activity should be

• Duration and frequency of the activity or exercise

• Precautions regarding an injury / condition having a clear understanding of the load the tissue can take to facilitate recovery

• Muscle flexibility and strength are two components of an assessment from which an individualised exercise program is developed.

• Programs may include muscle balancing exercises, stretching programs, balance and proprioceptive training, postural retraining, sport specific training, resistance training and core stabilisation exercises.