Sports Injuries: First Aid 

Muscle Strains/Sprains

Protect: Stop activity
Rest: Avoid stressing injury
Ice: As soon as possible, and until swelling subsides (for 20 minutes at a time)
Compression: With bandage/tubigrip
Elevate: Injury above level of heart

Seek medical advice if the condition is serious or the pain severe.

 Physiotherapy Treatment for Sports Injuries 

Sports injuries may broadly be divided into injuries due to accidents and those due to overuse syndromes.

Acute soft tissue injuries due to accidents tend to lead to swelling and inflammation. There may be damage to ligaments, tendons, muscles or cartilage. Physiotherapy can help to reduce the swelling and promote effective healing. Once healing is established, we would work to maintain joint mobility, and restore strength and stability.

Overuse Syndromes are often caused by poor biomechanics (alignment) A detailed assessment will reveal these. The treatment plan may include joint mobilisation, muscle stretching, exercises, taping and orthotics. We may also need to modify your training programme.

Disclaimer: please note that the advice contained in this publication is not a substitute for professional advice