Common Sports Injuries That Benefit From Manual Therapies

Lower Back Pain

This problem is common amongst those that have taken up weight lifting. Lifting weights with your back and repetitive motions often inflame this condition.

Running on hard surfaces can also compress and jar joints and discs. Swimmers who often hyperextend their strokes can also suffer back pain. Cyclists and gymnasts are similarly vulnerable.

Chiropractic treatment is a good solution for this problem as it focuses on the spine. Spinal manipulation can help to ease nerve pain and correct spinal irregularities.

The improved blood flow can also help to speed up recovery and encourage improved muscle tone. Massage therapy can also be utilised to relax tight muscles and improve circulation.

Neck Pain

Often seen in athletes that play sports like football, this condition can be characterised by sharp pain, tingling sensations, stiffness, numbness, or weakness.

While neck problems are commonly linked to poor posture, whiplash movement due to any blow to the head will often lead to damage to the muscles around the neck area. This is similar to what we see in car accident cases.



Neck pain can also be quite common amongst seniors that suffer from degenerative conditions like arthritis.

Cervical manipulations can be quite helpful in improving range of motion around the neck. Such treatment can also reduce pain levels and relax muscles.

Soft tissue massages and mobilisation of the neck and spine can also achieve similar results and help strengthen these muscles. This can help prevent repeat episodes of neck pain.

Sprains

When the ligaments are stretched too far, a sprain can occur. They tend to occur around joint areas supported by this soft tissue. When muscles and tendons are similarly overused or torn, this is referred to as a strain.



The results can often be quite painful and result in inflammation, swelling, and discolouration. It can become very difficult to move the particularly affected muscles or joints. Joint instability and difficulty placing weight on an affected leg can also lead to limping.

Osteopathy can help encourage healing of these soft tissues through gentle exercises. This manipulation can also promote a good range of motion that will reduce the risk of repeated injury in future and make it easier to return to sport once healed.

Achilles Tendon Injuries

The Achilles tendon connects calf muscles to the heel. Tendonitis is an inflammatory condition that results when these tissues are overstressed.

It can lead to inflammation, swelling, tight muscles, and weakness. These injuries are often a result of too much exercise, lack of flexibility, not warming up, poor technique, and ill-fitting sports shoes.



Osteopath care including soft tissue techniques and joint mobilisation can be used to reduce this inflammation. Coupled with stretching and strengthening exercises, patients can be trained on how to gradually make this area stronger and flexible to prevent a recurrence.

Knee Injuries

This joint is prone to injury due to its high level of use. Runner's knee is a feeling of tenderness that occurs around the knee cap. Pain and inflammation can also occur if supporting ligaments and cartilage are subjected to twisting movements.

Injuries to the bursa and meniscus can also cause knee pain and swelling. Pain to this area can also be caused by injury to the back and hip area that alters how one positions their knee.

These injuries can be caused by various occurrences like overuse, failure to warm up appropriately, and trauma to the knee.

Osteopathic treatments can help to gently reduce inflammation and swelling. This therapy involves stretching, articulation and manipulation that can also boost circulation and promote the body’s natural healing capacity.



Keep in mind that not every case is treated exactly as described. Even the treatment options mentioned are in no way exhaustive. In formulating a treatment plan, multiple factors must be taken into account, not just the type of injury. Identifying the root cause of the injury and considering medical history are other considerations that will go into determining the best holistic treatment options.