Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that sports injuries aren’t something you need to worry about unless you play competitively. Anyone who plays sports, from weekend enthusiasts to professional athletes, has the potential to become injured.
Sports injuries are divided into two categories– acute (an injury caused suddenly, such as spraining an ankle on an awkward landing) and chronic (an injury caused by repeated overuse of muscle groups or joints). The types of injury you are more prone to experiencing will generally depend on the sport you play, but may also be linked to pre-existing structural abnormalities and past injuries.
If you’ve sustained a sports injury of any kind, see a health professional to ensure that it isn’t more severe than you think and to establish a treatment plan for as smooth a recovery as possible.
The highly skilled team at Powerhouse Canberra is passionate about providing world-class care for our local community. Our work with Hockey ACT, Volleyball ACT, ACT Gridiron, North Canberra Bears, Gungahlin Bulls, and Canberra Chill has given us a unique understanding of sport at an elite level. Together, we create personalised treatment plans designed to get you back on your feet as soon as possible.
Common Sports Injuries We Address
Thanks to the continental climate here in Canberra, sports like rugby, soccer, hockey, and running are popular year-round. As such, we see a lot of injuries to the legs, knees, and ankles. Shoulder, elbow, back, and head injuries also frequently occur.
Some of the common sports injuries that a physiotherapist addresses include:
- Dislocations– an impact to the knee may force the kneecap out of alignment, resulting in a painful dislocation.
- Torn ligaments– anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are very common in athletes, often occurring when changing direction suddenly or landing awkwardly.
- Hamstring strains– this injury to the rear of the thigh is common in people who play basketball, football, and soccer.
- Pulled groins– this injury to the inner thighs is frequently seen in hockey, soccer, football, and baseball players due to the frequency of quick side-to-side motions.
- Achilles tendinitis– this injury is usually due to a stretch, tear, or other irritation to the Achilles tendon.
- Ankle sprains– these sorts of injuries may occur for all sorts of reasons, from rolling, twisting, turning awkwardly, stretching, or even tearing the ligaments in the joint.
- Shin splints– caused by inflammation where the muscle attaches to the tibia, this injury is common in runners.
- Tennis elbow– in those who play racket sports, the elbow tendons may develop small tears, wear down, and become inflamed due to repetitive movement.
- Rotator cuff– a result of inflammation of the tendons or bursae near the joint, this injury is common in tennis players and swimmers.
- Golfer’s elbow– a form of tendinitis that causes pain in the inner elbow, this injury is common in golfers and other sports with repetitive wrist movement.
How Physiotherapy May Aid Recovery
While you wouldn’t see a physiotherapist for dental damage or a fracture, they should be your first point of call for a muscle or joint-related sports injury.
A physiotherapist should create a treatment plan designed according to your injury type and severity, as well as your individual needs, in an effort to rehabilitate your body and get you back to living the active lifestyle you’re used to.
Your treatment plan may include:
- Activity restrictions
- Physical therapy
- Exercise programs (to stretch and strengthen the injured area)
- Immobilisation (using braces, splints, or casts)
- Pain management techniques
- Heat or cold application
- Conditioning exercises (to help prevent further injury)
While most sports injuries respond well to treatment, some may cause ongoing problems that you may need to learn to live with. In these cases, a physiotherapist may assist with exercise programs and pain management techniques to help you return to normal activities where possible.
Powerhouse Physio Addresses Sports Injuries Canberra Wide
Ignoring sports injuries may have disastrous effects, from worsening the injury to needing to step back from sport altogether. You must see a healthcare professional, such as a physiotherapist, as soon as possible to ensure that your injury is addressed appropriately.
At Powerhouse Canberra, we seek to be the sole provider for all your injury recovery needs. Not only can our highly skilled physios create a personalised treatment plan for you, but you can also take advantage of our in-house gym and state-of-the-art recovery zone (which includes ice baths, infrared saunas, and compression boots). As Canberra locals and sports enthusiasts ourselves, we understand the unique requirements of our local sporting community. Book your appointment today!
