As an NHS medical practitioner of 40 years and a professor of clinical anatomy who teaches and examines physiotherapists and surgeons, I can honestly say [...]
Sports Specific rehabilitation
There is a major difference between general rehabilitation following an injury and one that has a sports-specific focus. Seeking any treatment that doesn’t place a focus on the movements and forces that an athlete can expect to experience in their specific sport could prove to be a crucial mistake for an athlete competing at any level of play. Every sport places a specific set of strains on the human body. It would make very little sense to approach the rehabilitation of a shoulder injury in a tennis player the same as in a football player.
Sports place different stresses on the body. These sports specific stressors impact the body of an athlete but are also influenced by the specific physiological makeup or “build” of that athlete. By taking this into account, any pre-existing physiological imbalances or potentially damaging patterns of motion can be addressed in order to further reduce the chance of re-injury in the future. We work with our patients to develop individualized therapeutic regiments addressing the needs of their sport as well as the individual nuances of their specific physiology and injury.
Most sports-related injuries are either Macrotraumatic caused by a strong force – such as a fall, accident, collision or laceration or due to Microtraumatic injuries that result from overuse of a structure such as a muscle, joint, ligament, or tendon. This type of injury is more common in sports such as swimming, running, cycling and rowing. The process of rehabilitation should start as early as possible after an injury and form a continuum with other therapeutic interventions. It can also start before or immediately after surgery when an injury requires a surgical intervention.
How does it work?
A: Avoid aggravation. It is important not to aggravate the injury during the rehabilitation process.
T: Timing. The therapeutic exercise portion of the rehabilitation program should begin as soon as possible as guided by your therapist who understands healing and the initial process of recovery.
C: Compliance. Without you, the patient, agreeing and complying with the process, the success of rehabilitation will be limited.
I: Individualization. Each person responds differently to an injury and to the subsequent rehabilitation program. We will help tailor the program to you.
S: Specific sequencing. A therapeutic exercise program should follow a specific sequence of events. This specific sequence is determined by the body’s physiological healing response and type of sport
I: Intensity. The intensity level of the therapeutic exercise program must challenge the patient and the injured area but at the same time must not cause aggravation. Your therapist will know when to increase intensity without overtaxing the injury, observing both your response and consideration of the healing process.
T: Total patient. Treat the patient not just the condition. It is important for the unaffected areas of the body to stay finely tuned. This means keeping the cardiovascular system at a preinjury level and maintaining range of motion, strength, coordination, and muscle endurance of the uninjured limbs and joints. The whole body must be the focus of the rehabilitation program, not just the injured area. The swimmers shoulder does not work alone and neither does the runner’s knee in propelling the athlete forward.
For more information on the process Click Here.
What to expect
Similar to the physiotherapy section we will take a detailed history of your condition but also delve further into your training plan. If you are following a specific plan or in a particular phase of training please email us the plan before or bring it on the day. We will then look at your range of movement, functional strength, dynamic strength and sport specific movement and strength testing. Please bring appropriate clothing and footwear. We will then formulate a diagnosis, working treatment and work with you to modify our training plan whilst your injury recovers.
How many sessions will I have?
This will depend on the extent of your injury, timescales (if you have a specific event in mind), your individual goals and compliance with training modification as well as the response to hands on treatment. It will also depend on your level of competition and what ‘sport ready’ means for you. This can be determined after the first couple of sessions as we see how your injury starts responding to the therapeutic intervention.
How much will it cost?
Sports Specific rehabilitation
Thank you for helping me with my neck. I actually slept this week and feel much better. The numbness has gone in my hand and [...]
Sangita
I was continuously getting niggles when running and was recommended this clinic by a friend. They managed to address the underlying cause and developed a [...]
Jenny
When I was suffering from a severe knee problem which left me on crutches I was having trouble obtaining a diagnosis. I was referred by [...]
Matthew
I wanted to let you know what wonderful staff you have at the clinic. My life is a bit hectic for many personal reasons and [...]
Amina
Friendly and efficient practice. I am very grateful for the treatment I received which has helped considerably with an Achilles injury. Highly recommended.
Dominic
Just a quick note to let you know I no longer need therapy. I am 100% better! Swimming shoulders back to work. Thank you for [...]
Simon
I was given exercises which have helped to strengthen my arm and back, and by the end of three course treatment I would say that [...]
Elaine
Thank you so much for your help. Your clinic is a local gem. Your staff are friendly, knowledgeable and they actually listened to me and [...]
Mary
I was having trouble with my calf, that wasn’t resolving from the advice from my GP. I went to this clinic and they diagnosed a [...]
Prita
I cannot recommend West Hampstead Physiotherapy highly enough. It is a professional clinic but has a friendly, personable feel about it. I got a detailed [...]
Sarah L
I went to this place yesterday for my rotator cuff injury. Whatever she did helped so much. For the first time I was able to [...]
Ash G
Thank you for all your hard work and patience in treating my back. Your help has allowed me to return back to dancing which I [...]
Sarah V
I could barely lift my shoulder above my head & pain also made it very difficult to sleep at night. Great staff from receptionist to [...]
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