Sports Physiotherapy

Questions

• WHAT IS SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPY?

  Sports physiotherapy: A subspecialty of physiotherapy called sports physiotherapy treats athletes as well as recreational players who have sustained an injury or persistent issue. A specific type of physical treatment called sports physiotherapy is intended to treat conditions or injuries sustained while participating in sports. Rehabilitation and hands-on therapy are among the techniques. For those who are just starting out in athletics or are a professional athlete, sports physiotherapy may be an appropriate treatment option.

  Professional or amateur sports can strain muscles or potentially result in serious injuries. These issues may get worse if the right care and attention are not received. With the use of sports physiotherapy, these unintended injuries may now be treated and avoided from occurring again. By using a variety of methods and exercises, you may improve your performance and stave off more injuries. The goal of sports physiotherapy is to assist you in quickly and safely getting back on track. Sports physiotherapy treats issues other than other musculoskeletal ailments, such as injuries to the muscles, ligaments, or nerves.

  Among the Important Fields of Sports Physiotherapy Are:

  1. Assessing and identifying injuries
  2. Determining the cause of an injury
  3. Creating a personalized treatment plan
  4. Enhancement of performance through rehabilitation

• HOW DOES IT WORK?

  Sports injuries are really serious injuries that need to be treated carefully. A sports physiotherapist collaborates closely with the player and/or team to determine the specific needs of the sport and maximize performance following an injury. For example, a football player who plays midfield can suffer an ankle injury during play and require rehabilitation. He is given specific rehabilitation activities to help him regain his sport-specific ability to run, change directions, and manage the ball. A tailored rehabilitation program is created for each sport to help the player return to it. Fast bowlers who suffer from injuries related to hypertension in cricket are advised to perform exercises that either prevent hyperextension or stabilize the spine, and assist in his return to cricket.

  In actuality, sports physiotherapy offers a range of therapeutic approaches. Regular patients' back and neck discomfort will be treated using a variety of sports therapy treatment strategies, with a focus on mobility rehabilitation. For example, a lot of average people have started running to get healthy, but because they don't know anything about it, they often get injured.

• WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS TYPES OF SPORTS WHICH REQUIRE PHYSIOTHERAPY?

  It is possible for players to get injuries to their head, face, shoulder, arm, thigh, or knee at any time. Using safety equipment, wearing protective gear, warming up muscles and joints appropriately, and doing appropriate cool-down activities are just a few ways to prevent injury. Under the supervision of a qualified and experienced physiotherapist, the exercises should be performed.

  Sports where injuries happen most often are:
  • Football or soccer
  • Cricket
  • Tennis
  • Hockey
  • Athletic
  • However, physiotherapy treatment is also necessary for a number of other activities, including cycling, badminton, rugby, basketball, volleyball, and more.

• WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS/SPORTS INJURIES THAT CAN BE TREATED USING SPORTS THERAPY?

  Muscle Strain: Muscle strain also known as a Muscle pull, is one of the most frequent sports injuries that results from overstretching and tearing a muscle. Shoulder, lower back, groin, quadriceps, and calves are the primary areas affected by muscle strains.

  Stress Fracture: Another type of overuse damage is the stress fracture. It happens when the muscles can no longer support the pressure, which leads to a fracture. Stress fractures typically occur in the lower legs and feet, and female athletes are more likely than male athletes to sustain these injuries.

  Tendonitis: An inflammation of the tendon linked to overuse referred to as tendonitis.But microtears in the muscle fibers caused by a traumatic injury may also develop into tendonitis,

  Contusions: A contusion is an injury caused by a direct hit to the muscle. The player sustains a more serious injury that causes swelling and bruises in the affected area the faster the piece of equipment strikes the athlete. For more serious contusions, medical help may be necessary in addition to the suggested RICE course of treatment.

  Whiplash injury: A sudden, forceful movement of the neck forward or backward might result in a whiplash injury. The head jerks and the neck strains when someone falls or is struck. It frequently happens in contact sports and results in mild to severe soft tissue injury to the muscles, ligaments, and vertebrae in the neck and spine, producing discomfort and numbness in the arms. The player's recovery is dependent upon the extent of the damage.

  Shoulder Impingement: When playing, repeated overhead movements might lead to shoulder impingement. To keep the shoulder joint stable, it is necessary to maintain high degrees of muscle control during these recurrent concentric and eccentric motions. For these disorders, the first line of treatment in physiotherapy is rest, ice, and Kinesiotaping. The physiotherapist designs range-of-motion and strengthening exercises to improve the flexibility of the muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

  Acromioclavicular joint injury: Shoulder injuries are common among hockey players. Acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries, sometimes referred to as shoulder separations, are the most frequent type of shoulder injuries. The direct impact into the shoulder caused this damage. The degree of damage might range from a sprain to a total rupture of the ligaments in question. Isometric and mild range-of-motion exercises are performed after immobilization by rest in a sling as part of the physiotherapy treatment.

  Rotator cuff injury: Repetitive microtrauma, which can happen over time, is the most prevalent cause of a rotator cuff tear. Repeated rotator cuff injuries caused by squeezing, catching, or pinching the rotator cuff tendons result in swelling or bruises. The goal of physiotherapy is to lessen pain and inflammation. The therapist suggests capsular stretching, ROM exercises, and isometric exercises. This should be followed by rigorous pain-free strengthening and isotonic activities.

  Tennis elbow: Overuse and overload from forehand and serve strokes cause damage to the tendons on the outside of the elbow, resulting in tennis elbow. The three mainstays of physiotherapy for tennis elbow are rest, ice, and Kinesio-taping. In addition to specific physiotherapy exercises for strengthening and extending the muscles, a tennis elbow band or wrist brace may be helpful.

  Golfer's elbow: Golfer’s elbowOr medial epicondylitis is a painful and inflammatory condition that is brought on by overusing topspin and overloading the backhand stroke. Kinesiotaping, ice, and rest are all part of physiotherapy treatment. One option is to utilize a wrist brace in conjunction with strengthening and stretching exercises.

  Wrist strain: Shoulder dislocations, wrist sprains, and wrist fractures can result from falling on an extended arm. It can happen when the wrist twists unexpectedly, bends backward, or is subjected to a strong blow. The player experiences warmth, soreness, popping or ripping noises, and wrist stiffness.

  Carpal tunnel syndrome: This injury is brought on by a relaxed grip, upward palm rotation, and rapid wrist rotation during a topspin. Rest, ice, Kinesiotaping, range-of-motion exercises, and strengthening regimens are all part of the treatment for various ailments.

  Lower Back pain: Players often have lower back discomfort as a result of their rapid weight transfers, hopping, and twisting, which forces their spine to repeatedly flex, extend, rotate, and bend laterally—all of which are necessary during the loading or cocking phase of a tennis serve. For the purpose of enhancing strength, the physiotherapist creates workouts that target the back and abdomen muscles.

  Abdominal side strain: Side strain affects the body's oblique muscle on one side. The damage on the other side of the bowling arm results from the muscle's forced contraction. Repetitive arm motion might also result in side strains. The player experiences soreness and agony related to internal edema. Treatment necessitates enough sleep. Following evaluation of the damaged area for proper strength and conditioning, the athlete can progressively resume their activities.

  Femoroacetabular impingement: A multidirectional movement pattern, loading, and sudden beginning, cutting, twisting, and halting can all lead to femoroacetabular impingement. Under the supervision of a physiotherapist, this type of hip injury can be treated with RICE and physiotherapy sessions.

  Groin pull: Pulling or stretching the muscles in the inner thigh might result in a groin pull. When pulling the legs together or elevating the knee, the player has discomfort and soreness in the inner thigh and groin. During the injury, the athlete experiences excruciating agony and hears a popping or breaking sound.

  Iliotibial Band Syndrome: An overuse injury along the outer thigh is the cause of iliac band syndrome. as a result of the IT band's constant contact on the outside of the thigh during jogging. Just above the knee joint, the player's lateral or outside thigh and knee are painful and uncomfortable.

  Hamstring strains: A hamstring strain typically results from an overloading of the muscles, which can create a strain or a full rupture. Usually, sprinting—that is, quick bowling while fielding or dashing between wickets as a batsman—causes hamstring injuries. The athlete has acute or unexpected discomfort during activity, as well as tightness or pain when bending or straightening their leg and bearing weight. RICE is the first step in physiotherapy treatment, which is then followed by progressive strengthening exercises, taping, dry needling, scar tissue mobilization, and soft tissue massage.

  Torn ACL: The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, provides stability and aids in holding the knee joints together. Walking is hampered by an ACL tear, which is quite painful. A direct gunshot to the knees, an improper landing, a sudden stop, or a sudden change in direction are the causes of the damage.

  Torn MCL: Another type of knee injury is a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL), which is sustained when the ligament that joins the femur to the tibia is damaged. It results by pushing the knees sideways. Under the close supervision of a sports physiotherapist, this type of knee injury can be treated with braces, ice compression, and sports physical therapy sessions.

  Patellofemoral pain syndrome: Also known as runner's knee, this ailment is caused by damage to the cartilage beneath the kneecap. Tendon strains or knee misalignment may be the cause. The player experiences discomfort when exercising, leaping, crouching, climbing stairs, and bending the knee. When ascending stairs or after sitting for an extended period of time with their knee bent, the player experiences popping or cracking sounds in their knee.

  Shin Splits: Shin splits are an overuse ailment that commonly affects runners and affects the insides of the lower leg or shin region. This type of injury is more common among athletes with flat feet.

  Pulled Calf Muscle: Pulling a muscle, such as the soleus or gastrocnemius, from the Achilles tendon results in a pulled calf muscle injury. Running or leaping causes this. The athlete can't stand on the ball of their foot and has bruises, redness, and little swelling.

  Plantar Fasciitis: Inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament, which attaches the front of the foot to the heel, is known as plantar fasciitis. This type of injury is mostly caused by overstress and strain, and it is often treated with rest, ice, and stretching exercises.

  Ankle Sprains: When the foot is bent upward and the toes are turned out, a medial ankle sprain may result. When a soccer player uses their top foot to kick the ball, they run the risk of lateral ankle sprains. Ankle sprains occur when the ligament supporting the joint is overextended as a result of stepping incorrectly, unevenly, or in a twisting and rolling motion. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) is typically used to treat ankle strains.

  Achilles tendon Rupture: A partial or total tear of the Achilles tendon can result in Achilles tendon rupture. A gamer may experience this if they make a sudden or abrupt movement. When the ligaments that surround the ankle joint are strained or damaged, ankle sprains happen.

  Achilles tendonitis: Inflammation at the lower back of the leg just above the heel is known as Achilles tendonitis. Overuse leads to the ailment known as Achilles tendinitis. Players frequently make abrupt, repeated movements that over time might result in this injury. Pain is frequently treated with rest, ice, stretching, and strengthening exercises since physical exertion exacerbates the pain.

  Sports physiotherapy and the appropriate medicine are essentially used in the treatment of sports injuries in order to provide sportsmen with respite. Physiotherapy has really shown to be one of the most reliable kinds of treatment for sports injuries and has been shown to be fairly helpful in helping athletes recover quickly.

• WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPY?

  The majority of physiotherapy facilities do provide assistance with a range of cardiopulmonary conditions. They do work on techniques to help athletes breathe more easily and have more endurance so they can carry out their daily tasks more effectively. When it comes to treating neurological problems, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, etc., the majority of sports therapists do provide advantages. Sports physiotherapists are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to assist in treating severe, chronic, and overuse injuries. They do have a significant impact on the health and performance of athletes.

  One has to recover fully over several weeks or months, depending on the type of damage. A physiotherapist assists a patient by providing mild exercises that activate the injured muscles and tissues, restoring full range of motion as it did before the injury. In order to reduce discomfort, the physiotherapists progressively introduce different strengthening and stretching activities. Sports physiotherapists provide specialized rehabilitation plans based on the nature of the injury to enhance the healing process as a whole.