A Sports Therapy degree is a relative newcomer on the scene for pain and injury rehabilitation (well, a decade or so anyway!). It is similar to a physiotherapy qualification but where physio’s study neurology, cariology and respiratory as well as the musculoskeletal (MSK) system, a Sports Therapist specialises in MSK conditions. The degree qualifies the practitioner to treat musculoskeletal injuries and a Remedial Therapy (or Sports Therapy) Assessment and a session will involve a detailed consultation, including diagnostic techniques to identify the root cause of the issue and the specific areas requiring treatment. Treatment involves massage and other techniques to address the areas identified during the consultation and then exercises and rehabilitation advice is given on home care. Sports/Remedial therapy is a manual treatment which aims to treat and rehabilitate injuries by easing pain and allowing the rehabilitation of injuries caused by sport, poor posture, joint and muscular complaints.
A Remedial Therapy Assessment session will involve a detailed consultation, including diagnostic techniques to identify specific areas requiring treatment. Massage and other techniques are used to address the areas identified during the consultation and then exercises and rehabilitation advice is given on home care.
Remedial Therapy is a manual treatment which aims to treat and rehabilitate injuries by easing pain and allowing the rehabilitation of injuries caused by sport, poor posture, joint and muscular complaints.
Remedial therapy does not only involve the treatment of ‘injured athletes’ but also deals with members of the public with lifestyle or posture related injuries, such as back and shoulder pain, repetitive strain injuries and mobility problems.
Treatments used in remedial therapy:
Postural assessments are used to identify postural imbalances and review whether they may be responsible for causing various musculoskeletal problems e.g. low back pain. Various techniques are used including stretching, postural realignment, manual therapy and rehabilitative exercise to improve the client posture. Myofascial release is also used to release any restrictions within the connective tissue, which is often a cause of muscular problems and postural imbalances. These postural improvements can provide a sense of well being and may assist in sporting performance.
Remedial massage is used to help treat muscular problems and can be used to reduce pain, assist in joint mobilisation and reduce the build up of scar tissue within muscle. Muscular pain can be reduced, whether it is caused by an accident, injury or simply long term build up of tension from working at a desk or spending long periods in the car. Muscles can become damaged or impaired in many ways and muscular imbalances to one area of the body can often create referred pain in different locations as other muscle groups compensate for the injury. Massage is an effective system of encouraging optimum symmetry
Rehabilitation. Once the problem has been identified we will use a range of manual therapy techniques, stretching and rehabilitative exercise to treat the problem. Rehabilitative exercise is vital for post injury rehabilitation, to improve performance and ensure a swift return to your active lifestyle or sporting activity.
Maintenance massages like Sports Massage or Deep Tissue Massage are used to assist in keeping muscles supple and toned. Furthermore maintenance massage helps in maintaining flexibility and helps in improving sporting performance.
