Our Physiotherapist Alin Dorneanu explains how his treatment can help with a range of common sports injuries prevalent at this time of year. You can also take advantage of 50% off your first treatment this autumn!
This is the time of year for many high-intensity sports, as well as a popular time for running.
Practicing good habits such as stretching can prevent injuries so you can enjoy your favourite sports. But many autumn sports have running at their core, including football, rugby and cross-country. Sports such as tennis, basketball and hockey also require strong, repetitive motion.
People who participate in these strenuous sporting activities are more likely to suffer from muscle and tendon injuries. In some cases, anatomical variances, such as uneven leg length, excessive pronation (flat feet), patella alta, may lead to a higher chance of developing an exercise-related injury.
If you do get injured, then our physiotherapist Alin Dorneanu is here to help you have a smooth recovery so you can get back to your favourite sports activities as quickly as possible.
How Physiotherapy can help with Common Sports Injuries
Runner’s Knee
Runner’s Knee or PFPS is a blanket term used to describe repetitive strain injuries involving the knee, typically due to regular running or other sports involving running and jumping. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) describes a disorder of the patellofemoral joint. Symptoms typically include pain felt at the front of the knee, around and under the knee caps. It may be a result of swelling of the knee joint due to overload or a repetitive injury due to poor biomechanics, running on a hard surface without appropriate footwear for example, poor running style, or changing direction quickly. In some cases, a fall can cause swelling of the knee, which may develop into PFPS.
Physiotherapy is usually the first approach in treating Runner’s Knee. Treatment typically includes Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (RICE), kinesiology taping or bracing, and physical therapy focused on strengthening the core, knee, and surrounding muscle groups.
Calf Tear
This describes a tear in the muscles at the back of the calf and are typically graded as 1 (minor), 2 (moderate) and 3 (severe).
A calf tear or strain typically occurs as a result of acceleration, or a sudden change in direction whilst running. In most cases, you feel a sudden sharp pain in the back of the calf that gets progressively worse over the following hours causing difficulty walking. In more severe cases, bruising and swelling of the calf muscle will be visible.
Initial treatment typically involves RICE. This is usually followed by a rehabilitative course of physiotherapy where different methods, such as massage, strengthening and stretching exercises are used to regain full function.
Tennis/Golfer’s Elbow
Tennis or Golfer’s elbow describes inflammation of the tendons of the elbow. These tendons join the bones and muscles together in the wrist, which control the forearms.
Tennis elbow is typically caused by activities that place repeated stress on the elbow joint such as playing tennis, squash. It may also be a result of other occupations including painting and decorating or playing the violin. Overuse of the muscles and tendons can result in the development of tears and inflammation.
Along with rest and anti-inflammatory medication, physiotherapy is the first approach in treating tennis/golfer’s elbow. Treatment focuses on decreasing inflammation using different therapies such as cold laser therapy and ultrasound, followed by tendon-loading rehabilitation.
Groin strain
A groin strain is a muscular tear to any one of the groin muscles, often one of the hip adductor muscles. Groin strains usually occur due to high speed activities such as sprinting, jumping, kicking or rapidly changing direction.
Typical symptoms include pain and tenderness felt locally in the region of the groin, pain when stretching the groin region and during muscle contraction. Groin strain treatment includes rest and ice followed by specific stretches and a strengthening programme guided by a trained physiotherapist.
Shoulder injury
The shoulder joint is one of the body’s most mobile joints, making it particularly susceptible to injury including dislocation, malalignment, impingement, sprains and strains. Shoulder injuries involving the rotator cuff muscles are especially common in sports that involve overhead movement, including cricket, baseball, swimming, tennis, etc. Symptoms include sharp pain, aching and localised swelling, sleep disturbances and weakness of the arm.
Treatment for shoulder injuries vary. It may initially be in the form of rest, ice and anti-inflammatories to reduce swelling. This is usually followed by a course of targeted strengthening and stretching exercises, guided by a trained physiotherapist.
Hamstrings strain
The hamstrings are a large group of muscles at the back of the thighs. Injuries to the hamstring muscles are extremely common during sporting activities.
When not sufficiently warmed up, the hamstrings are often tight, making them prone to tears and strains. Hamstring injuries often occur as a result of running, jumping and lunging. When the hamstring muscles tear, a pop sound can be heard or felt, and the individual will feel immediate pain, which in some cases is accompanied by bruising and swelling.
Rest, ice and anti-inflammatories are usually recommended following the initial injury. This is typically accompanied by specific strengthening and stretches guided by a physiotherapist. Hamstring injuries often take a long time to heal, as even gentle walking can cause stress to an injured hamstring. More serious injuries can put athletes out of action for several months.
Getting help you need
If you need help with treating any of these injuries, then contact us to book in with Alin, and take advantage of his special offer – 50% off your initial assessment with treatment, saving £30. Offer available until end of the year.
At your first appointment, Alin will determine the best treatment methods for you. The treatments he may use include:
- Massage (soft, deep tissue, sports massage, Swedish)
- Education and Advice
- Exercises
- Manual therapy techniques (including Mulligan therapy)
- Functional Neurology Techniques (Proprioceptive Deep Tendon Reflex)
- Physical Stimuli Treatments (such as Laser Therapy).
