Physiotherapy for Hockey Players
Sport
Physiotherapy
When should you see a sports physiotherapist? Sports physiotherapy focuses on sports-related goals and injuries. From improving your technique to supporting you towards your team’s final, our qualified sports physio in Canberra team aims to help you maintain your fitness and keep you on the field.
With a range of treatment options for sports injuries and various approaches, sports physiotherapy at Powerhouse Canberra involves personalised treatment plans that fuel your ability to take part in the sport you love.
Physiotherapy and Hockey
Powerhouse Canberra is a trusted physiotherapy clinic for hockey athletes in and around Canberra. We have supported countless hockey players of all levels, from local players having fun on a weekend to national athletes. We target injury prevention, performance improvement, and rehabilitation in an effort to help you play safely, comfortably, and enthusiastically.
Our team is proud to have over 20 years of experience in elite sports physiotherapy, including working with junior and senior squads with Hockey Australia. The fact we are located at the EPC Solar Hockey Stadium certainly shows we love what we do!
Common Hockey Injuries
We love everything about playing hockey: the pace, the skill, the training, the teamwork, even the sweaty shin guards! Unfortunately, such a physically demanding game comes with injury risks. That is where we come in!
Common injuries we often see include:
- Knee and ankle sprains
- Lower back strains and stiffness
- Shoulder instability and dislocation
- Hamstring and groin strains
- Bursitis
- Shin splints
- Anterior cruciate ligament tears
Hockey
Safety Tips
Physiotherapy manages injuries and wear and tear. Another prominent element is prevention. We aim to help you incorporate internal and external strategies in an effort to reduce your risk of injury and increase your ability and enjoyment. We can personalise these recommendations to your body and goals.
Some example tips include:
- Wear appropriate, well-fitted safety gear, including cleated shoes, shin guards, gloves and mouthguards
- An active warm up and cool down
- Learn proper techniques
- Know your limits: pushing through pain is often a recipe for disaster
Hockey-Specific
Physiotherapy Methods
Healthcare rarely works with a one-size-fits-all mindset. This is particularly pertinent in sports. A physiotherapy treatment plan for a swimmer is not going to support a hockey player, just as a treatment plan for a hockey player is not going to support a cross-country runner.
That is why we develop a plan that is designed with you in mind. We consider your health needs, injuries, goals, and sport to incorporate the most appropriate physiotherapy techniques into your care.
Depending on your needs, your plan may include methods such as:
- Analysis of your flexibility, balance, strength, posture, and/or mobility
- Review of your training and recovery routine
- Manual therapy, such as joint mobilisation, myofascial release, and deep tissue massage
- Dry needling
- Agility and conditioning exercises
- VALD force plates for assessing strength and power
- Taping and bracing
- Education regarding conditions, injuries, prevention, and techniques
Your Hockey Physios
FAQs Answered
Yes, it may. Physiotherapy aims to help you maintain your mobility and comfort through exercises, stretches, and evidence-based methods that focus on your strength, balance, flexibility, and posture.
We are a complete concussion clinic and specialise in the assessment, treatment and rehab of concussion. Your post-concussion recovery may involve aspects such as assisting a gradual return to movement and providing coordination and cognitive exercises in an effort to restore and maintain functionality.
Your physiotherapist will undertake a thorough assessment, considering your relevant medical and injury history, symptoms, and physical evaluation and/or scan results. Once they have identified the issue and/or underlying factors, they will develop a plan and discuss the options and possible treatment plan with you.
Why Choose Powerhouse Canberra?
Our physiotherapy team is passionate about hockey, from playing the game to supporting other hockey players through game-specific treatment. We truly understand the ins and outs of the sport and know what may help you hit your goals.
Sport-Specific Approach
Hockey involves many features that other sports don’t, which means your physiotherapist needs to deeply understand the game to help you get results.
From fast direction changes and repetitive shoulder rotations to impact shock from hockey sticks, our physios know what is involved and what techniques may help you excel.
Assessment and Performance Analysis
We have cutting-edge testing equipment to measure aspects such as landing mechanics and muscle symmetry.
The results assist us in developing plans that may help to improve your comfort, reduce your injury risk, and improve your on-field performance.
Individualised Care
Not only do we look specifically at the game you play, we also incorporate your unique preferences, goals, and requirements into plan development and intervention.
Calling All Hockey Lovers
You don’t have to wait until injury strikes to visit our experienced and dedicated physio team. Come along and learn more about your body and favourite game to grow your love of hockey! And if you do acquire an injury, please make an appointment for thorough treatment that aims to help you return to the field.