Sports Physiotherapy
PRP Is Your Trusted Sport Physio
Physiotherapy to aid in the rehabilitation after a sporting injury is crucial to get you back on the court/pitch ASAP with the minimal risk of re-injury.
As a physiotherapist I have managed countless athletes from sports ranging from all football codes, netball, elite dancers, triathletes, swimmers, and everything in between. Sports physiotherapy is worlds different to managing the non-sport playing physiotherapy client. An innate understanding of the athlete, their sport, their demands and training schedule, how they play their sport, are all integral components of an assessment and play a role in planning to return an athlete to sport. I take the time to truly understand what the demands of your chosen athletic endeavour are and to develop an individualised treatment and return to sport plan suited to you.
Common Conditions in Sport Physiotherapy
- Ankle sprains
- Hamstring strains
- Groin pain
- Hip pain
- MCL sprains
- Meniscus injuries
- Quadriceps strains
- Calf strains
- Tendinopathy e.g. Achilles tendinopathy, patella tendinopathy, or hamstring tendinopathy
- Osgood-Schlatter Disease
- Sever’s Disease
- Stress fractures
- Shin splints
- Shoulder dislocations
- Contusions
- Foot and midfoot sprains
How does Return to Training and Return to Sport Work?
Every athlete is always itching to get back on the court or pitch, sometimes too fast, and some are a little hesitant. I totally understand it either way having been on that side of the treatment table many times in the past. Sometimes it’s best to take a little bit of time and plan out how we go about the process of getting back to sport rather than rushing decisions.
Every physiotherapist should always be planning ahead when dealing with athletes. Every initial consult involving an athlete I will discuss your training and sporting commitments so that we know from the start what your training routine looks like, how long it will take you to recover between sessions. As we get closer we will discuss the intricacies of your training sessions such as how much fitness is there, how much contact, how much gameplay is involved, what adaptations and changes can be made for you. This is all crucial information that you can provide us to help plan your way getting back to sport.
Unfortunately, having worked with sporting teams for the past 5+ years, I hear a lot of people tell me that “physiotherapists are just there to rule people out of playing”. It’s disappointing that that is the perception of our industry, it should be our aim to keep athletes on the pitch/court as much as possible even if it means making adaptations to their training regime. In most cases I will always want athletes doing something rather than sitting on the sidelines watching. It can assist in keeping motivation high, maintaining team cohesion, and minimise loss of game specific skills.
Gradually easing your way back to sport and increasing the intensity of fitness and contact situations is the recommended pathway in every situation. Suddenly returning to sport can often lead to problems down the line as you are unlikely to be prepared to perform the demands of your sport when you are playing. Returning through training is also integral for increasing confidence after your injury. It is essential that when you return to sport that you have 100% confidence. If you display hesitancy you are likely to alter your movements, especially if you are playing a contact sport, potentially resulting in an increased risk of another injury.
What Does A Sports Physiotherapist Actually Do?
Good sports physios and exercise physiotherapists possess experience and sport-specific knowledge to treat acute, chronic and overuse injuries caused by sporting activities. Sports physiotherapists are usually accessible to athletes at any level of competition and across all age groups.
When you employ the expertise of a sports physiotherapist, you receive up-to-date, evidence-based services, including the latest assessment and diagnostic techniques, hands-on treatment, and exercise regimes. These processes are optimised to assist the recovery process and prevent future risk of injury.
To supply the latest treatments and recovery programs, sports physiotherapists regularly access training courses and literature related to advances in the management of sports injuries. At PRP Physio, we have a specific interest in the management and treatment of sporting injuries, making sure to stay up-to-date with the latest research in sports science.
PRP has experience working with professional athletes through sports injury management and recovery. From Paralympians to Commonwealth athletes to semi-professional sports teams, we possess the expertise and know-how to deliver quality treatment across a wide range of different sport-specific injuries.
When Can I Return To Playing?
The answer to this question varies considerably, depending on what sport you play and what kind of injury you have sustained. Ultimately, it is up to your sports physio to decide when it is safe. They will consider how your tissue is healing and how well you have responded to rehabilitation treatment. There is nothing worse than to start playing sport again, only to immediately reinjure yourself.
As many elite athletes know, hands-on treatment, graduated exercises and strength training are all vital parts of the recovery process. Replicating the impact of your sport before you return to the field is essential. Protective brace and/or taping may also be necessary when you start playing again.
As a general rule, soft tissue injuries and bone injuries often take at least six weeks to heal and stabilise, and that is at the very minimum. At PRP, we always advise caution, promoting a graduated recovery process.
