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Osteopathy for Sports Injuries
‘Osteopathic care is based on the individual needs of the patient and so varies depending on age, fitness levels and diagnosis. Osteopaths use a wide range of gentle hands-on techniques, focusing on releasing tension, stretching muscles and mobilising joints. These are often used with exercise and helpful advice, together with strapping or taping, all of which are designed to relieve pain, help return to normal activity levels and maintain the best of health. As well as treating injuries, osteopaths may offer advice about optimal nutrition or suggest a sport-specific diet.
The good news is that although sports injuries are common, those who are active and have experience of following exercise routines may find they recover more quickly and easily from their injuries.’ See Institute of Osteopathy for more info, IO.
SPORTS INJURIES
It is common to feel some minor discomfort after training, as the body takes a little time to recover and adapt to the demands of activities. Soreness often quickly resolves itself but occasionally, may persist for more than a few days or make it difficult for you to continue your normal activities. In these instances, you may want to seek advice from an osteopath / sports massage therapist.
SPORTS MASSAGE
Sports massage is a deep tissue massage aimed at treating and rehabbing sports injuries. You do not need to be an athlete to receive sports massage. It is a more focused approach to massage compared to Swedish or other styles of massage.
The techniques used by sports massage practitioners have been developed to ensure effective and efficient results are gained from each massage given. Soft Tissue Therapy may:
'Improve circulation and lymphatic flow
Assist in the removal of metabolic waste
Sedate or stimulate nerve ending
Increase or decrease muscle tone
Increase or decrease muscle length
Remodel scar tissue when required
Assist in mental preparation for sporting participation