Sports therapists are very similar to Physiotherapists in many ways. Sports Therapists have undertaken a long and intensive course quite similar to Chartered Physiotherapists. Positively they tend to be very hands-on and specialise in Sports Injuries. Although similar to Physiotherapists they will directly formulate a treatment diagnosis, also plan treatment procedure and formulate a rehabilitation programme.
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What can Sports Therapy treat?
Sports therapists can treat a wide range of injuries but below is a list of just some.
- Ligament Injuries- such as Ankle Sprains
- Tendon Injuries -such as Achilles Tendinitis and Tennis Elbow
- Muscular Injuries- Such as Hamstring Strains
- Neck and Back pain including whiplash
- Postural Problems
- Pre/Post Surgery rehabilitation
What will a Sports Therapist do to help?
Initially, the Sports Therapist will take a detailed and thorough medical case history and assessment. This essential information help’s to establish the what tissue/area is damaged and the cause of the problem. From here they can create a treatment plan and treatment combined with rehabilitation goals to help to get you better. Sports Therapists use a variety of different techniques such as massage therapy, joint mobilisation, electro-therapy, taping and strapping, stretching techniques and rehabilitation exercises to aid a patient to a full recovery.
Benefits of Visiting a Sports Therapist
- Relieve Pain
- Restore Mobility
- Restore Muscular imbalances
- Help you get back to playing sport at your desired level
- Improve flexibility
- Injury Prevention
What Is The Difference Between Sports Massage and Sports Therapy
Effectively, the key difference is that a Sports Therapist is focused on injury prevention and rehabilitation. whereas Sports Massage is focused on providing relief to tired and tight muscles, so they can be very similar but provide two very distinct benefits and methods of training. Sports massage and Sports Therapy are extremely beneficial in the prevention, and rehabilitation of injuries. Both can be used by athletes prior to a big event, as a preventative and educational approach.
Is Sports Therapy Regulated?
Sports Therapy is regulated by the Health Professions Council, which means currently not everyone can call themselves a Sports Therapist. This is an ongoing process and it is hoped that Sports Therapy like other healthcare services will soon be added to this list. That said all our Sports Therapists at The Hatfield Practice have studied Sports Therapy to a high academic level at University. All fully insured and members of The Society of Sports Therapists and therefore are bound under their code of conduct.
Sports Therapy Professional is Victor | BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy
