If you have a sports injury – whether it’s a sudden tear or worsening tendonitis – then you can benefit greatly from sports injury physiotherapy. From reducing pain and inflammation in the short term to rebuilding strength and enhancing peak performance in the long term, sports injury physio should be an integral part of your recovery.
This guide, written by our sports injury specialists and physiotherapists at One Body, explores what sports injury physiotherapy is. It covers the types of injuries it can treat, how we treat patients, and how to use private insurance to pay for it as a quicker alternative to the NHS.
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What to Do When You Have a Sports Injury
It goes without saying that if you are injured during training or playing a sport, you should seek medical attention straight away. Don’t come to a physiotherapist with broken bones and a concussion – it’s A&E for you!
So, what can sports physiotherapy do?
Physiotherapy is all about rehabilitation – we can’t fix broken bones but we can help your body heal. Primarily, we treat sports injuries that impact the muscles, mobility and flexibility, joints and tendons, or are inflammation and pain related.
Sports physiotherapy is also very effective for post-surgery and post-injury recovery. For example, if you have lost muscle mass or reduced your range of motion after breaking an arm or leg, sports physiotherapy can restore your function and get you back up to peak performance.
Common Sports Injuries We Can Treat
The sports injuries that we can treat include both traumatic injuries (a sudden sprain) and chronic or long-term conditions from repetitive activities (overuse injuries).
Some of the most common injuries we see at our state-of-the-art London clinics are:
- Ankle sprains and strains,
- Achilles tendinopathy,
- Plantar fasciitis (jogger’s heel),
- Anterior knee pain (including runner’s knee and jumper’s knee),
- Patello-femoral injuries (knee cap),
- Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow,
- Labral and rotator cuff tears (shoulder muscle injuries)
- Chronic compartment syndrome.
Physiotherapy is ideal for Injuries involving your muscles, connective tissues, tendons, and ligaments. To find out if we can treat your injury (or help diagnose your problem), reach out and start your online assessment at One Body today.
Sports Injury Treatments – What to Expect
Physiotherapy is a recognised therapy for sports injuries. You may be referred to a sports physiotherapist by the NHS if you receive treatment for an injury, or you may want to reach out privately to start a recovery plan. Physiotherapists must be licensed and registered to practise in the UK, guaranteeing a certain quality of service. However, you should still look for the best clinic you can find – more about this below.
When you attend physiotherapy for a sports injury, here is what to expect:
- An initial assessment and diagnosis. Even if you already have a diagnosis from your physician, we want to make sure we assess your current condition. This involves a physical assessment of the injured area, plus a holistic assessment that considers your body as a whole. We might assess your gait, range of motion, flexibility, and more, depending on your injury. We will also need to know about your medical history and any past injuries you have recovered from.
- Relieving pain and inflammation. Depending on your injury, you may be coming to your sessions with considerable pain and inflammation. Our first treatments will be targeted on relieving pain and inflammation, restoring your mobility so you can move freely throughout your recovery.
- Rehabilitating movements. The next stage is all about restoring functionality to your body. This includes gentle exercises to rebuild muscles and encourage the body to heal. Exercise therapy is also about better understanding the biomechanics of your body. You will learn not just how to recover but also how to prevent recurrence of injuries.
- Rebuilding strength and agility. Finally, physiotherapy is here to help you regain strength. You may even find that you end physiotherapy in a stronger place than before your injury occurred! We will help you rebuild muscle and coordination, using exercises and stretches that restore your strength and the range of motion you need for your sport.
Your physiotherapy treatment plan will always be adapted to not just your specific injury, but also your sport. Whether you are a weightlifter, boxer, runner, or yoga instructor, your physiotherapist will help you understand how best to care for your body to ensure peak performance.
This is why we recommend finding a physiotherapist who understands or has experience in your specific sport or activity. Browse our expert therapists at One Body to compare their areas of expertise and find the perfect match.
Finding a Sports Injury Clinic in London
When you are looking for a physiotherapist to treat your sports injury, always look for clinics that specialise in sports. This ensures that the therapist you see is not only qualified for sports physio but also naturally passionate about sports! Specifically, look for:
- Sports injury clinics, or services focusing on sports massage and sports physiotherapy.
- Physiotherapists with personal experience playing sports.
- Physiotherapists with experience treating athletes or active individuals.
- Reviews from customers who received sports injury physiotherapy – look beyond the website to check social media too.
You should also look closely at the locations of the clinics available – travelling to and from a clinic with an injury can be tough. Look for proximity to tube stations and bus stops, if you’re using public transport, or nearby parking if you are able to drive.
Finally, don’t forget to look at the price. Whether you are using private health insurance or not, the price can tell you a lot about the clinic. Ideally, it should match the level of experience that the physiotherapist has. The more experience and better the reputation, the higher the price will be.
One Body – Award-Winning Sports Injury Physiotherapy
One Body is an award-winning physiotherapist clinic with a strong team of ex-athletes, ex-coaches and ex-Team GB professionals registered to provide sports injury physiotherapy. We are passionate about sports and our knowledge goes far beyond the theoretical – we know exactly how your sports injury feels and how eager you are to get back to doing what you love.
Come see us at one of our sports injury London clinics based in Farringdon, London Bridge, and Old Street and book your sports physiotherapy session with the physiotherapist of your choice today.
Sports Injury Insurance – Get Your Sessions Covered
If you have private insurance or health coverage from corporate benefits, then you can use your policy to get sports injury physiotherapy for free at One Body. We work with all major UK insurers at our convenient London sports injury clinic locations.
Whether you are referred by the NHS but want to avoid the wait times by going private, or just want to get the best physiotherapy treatment in London, using your private insurance is really quite simple. To start, contact your insurer and find out if you need a referral from a consultant or GP – you can usually get one over the phone, so it’s a quick process. From there, you just need to give your insurer our therapist provider number and book your session. We will handle the rest!
FAQs
How do physiotherapists treat sports injuries?
Physiotherapists treat sports injuries by first diagnosing and assessing your injury. They’ll then create a personalised rehabilitation program utilising manual therapy, exercise therapy, and injury management techniques. Physio follows you from the diagnosis of your injury through to the day you can return to your sport or training schedule with pre-injury levels of strength, endurance, and mobility.
What is the treatment for sports injuries?
Physiotherapy can be used for injuries like strains and muscle tears. Using manual techniques like massage as well as other science-backed therapies, physiotherapists reduce inflammation and pain while rebuilding strength, flexibility, mobility and stamina to aid your recovery.
When should you get physio after a sports injury?
General aches and soreness after an intense workout are to be expected. A rejuvenating sports massage can help, but you typically won’t need targeted physiotherapy. However, if you think you have a sports injury like tendonitis from repetitive strain or a traumatic injury like a sprained ankle, then it’s time to see a physiotherapist. As physiotherapists have the expertise to assess and diagnose, they’ll be able to confirm your injury and provide a recommended treatment plan (if you need one).
Does physio speed up recovery for sports?
Physiotherapy and sports massage use manual techniques that can boost blood flow, reduce inflammation, and minimise pain. This can help you recover at a faster rate, but you’ll still need to make sure you rest and follow your physiotherapist’s orders.
What not to do after physiotherapy?
Don’t immediately head to the gym or put your body under any strain to perform – whether you’re an athlete or not. Your physiotherapist will let you know how long to wait before attempting to exercise again. Follow their advice or you may hinder the recovery process.
