Sports Injury

A sports injury is treated using hands-on techniques and exercises to help repair tissue damage and re-establish correct movement patterns.   Using knowledge of anatomy, neurology, biomechanics & exercise physiology the focus of treatment may not just be on the site of pain.    Also anywhere on the body where movement (or lack of movement) is the cause of the pain.    At Marlow Sports Therapy everyone is cared for as an individual, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment.

Assessing a Sports Injury

We assess your injury to rule out underlying medical conditions (red flags).  Bone fractures and dislocations, infections etc. would typically be referred to a doctor / hospital.   If the diagnosis is a soft tissue injury we will offer treatment.   Sports injuries are classed as traumatic or overuse.

A Traumatic injury is sudden damage to bone, muscle, tendons, ligaments or fascia.   Such as fractures, cuts, bruising, sprains or strains.   The priority is First Aid.  Instead of R.I.C.E. we recommend the P.O.L.I.C.E. regime: Protection, Optimum-Loading, Ice, Compression, Elevation.  

Protection:  Don’t make it worse!

Optimum Loading:  Optimal healing of any soft tissue doesn’t occur unless there is ‘loading’ of the tissue.  Initially this may mean total rest but as time goes by you NEED to gradually introduce ‘load’ to strengthen the injured area appropriately.

Ice:  Ice can be useful for pain relief and may help reduce swelling to the area.

Compression:  The best way to limit excess swelling and bleeding of an injury.  Should be kept on for first 24-72hrs ensuring blood supply is not compromised.

Elevation:  Used for protection of the injury and may reduce blood flow to an injury if raised above the heart.

This would be followed up with manual therapy and exercise rehabilitation.   At Marlow Sports Therapy we have the expert knowledge and years of experience in prescribing the correct exercises at the correct dosages to ensure ‘optimal loading’.

Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries are ones that occur over time and may not have an obvious cause.  Any pain or swelling you suddenly notice is a symptom of a problem that may have been ‘building-up’ for several days, weeks, months or even years beforehand. The graph below represents the too much, too soon idea that is the cause of overuse injuries.

Depending on individual circumstances, overuse problems can eventually manifest themselves as tendinitis, nerve entrapment, stress fractures, osteoarthritis etc.  Its important to realise that much of the time these are symptoms, not the cause of an overuse injury.

The above activities are examples of when an injury may occur.  The cross-over point from low to high risk is deliberately vague as it’s hard to predict if and when an injury occurs. Different types of soft tissue and different health & fitness levels will change the ‘breaking point’.

Sports Injury Healing

The musculoskeletal system is constantly regenerating itself, and when subjected to exercise it will become stronger.  Doing too much, too soon in the way described in the graph will increase your chance of injury.  The ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ principle applies when doing little or no exercise as muscles will regenerate smaller & weaker (especially as you get older, unfortunately!).   Your body will not waste energy by making muscle you do use in the short term.

There is more information about typical sports injuries on the NHS website here.

At Marlow Sports Therapy Sports we use K-Laser therapy which is proven to speed up healing of acute wounds and injuries and can ‘kick-start’ healing agin in chronic complaints.  We specialise in not only treating the symptoms of pain but also getting to the cause of musculoskeletal problems.   Using various therapy techniques and rehabilitation exercises in powerful combinations to heal an injury, we make you stronger and try to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Do you know someone who is struggling with a sports injury?  How about treating them to a treatment with our gift vouchers?

If you want some advice add a comment on our facebook page or to book an appointment please email  or call 01628 914751 or 07946 405664