Osteopathy and massage for sports people

Is sport your passion but injury a stumbling block? While, sport has become a way of life for many, participants ranging from elite athletes to those who just want to keep fit, injuries can be an annoying and painful hinderance. Osteopaths are highly trained healthcare professionals, who specialise in the musculoskeletal system. As such, they are well placed to help.  Here at the Osteopath Clapham, I offer osteopathy, massage and simple rehabilitation for those experiencing sports related issues.

Sports injury

Sports injuries can be just that, injuries incurred while playing sport. In these cases, osteopathy and sports massage can provide a framework for recovery. The injury itself is nursed back to health, patterns of musculoskeletal compensation are avoided and rehabilitation exercises are given to support long-term recovery. Alternatively, the injury may be a direct result of the sport itself, a repetitive strain. Most activities involve a degree of repetition. Repeated activities can overload muscles and joints leading to injury. Take golf, for example. The repetitive swing can cause issues in the lower back and pelvic joints. Indeed research has shown that the lower back is “incapable of safely accommodating the modern golf swing” (Cole and Grimshaw, 2015. The biomechanics of the modern golf swing: Implications for back injuries). Such strains can be exacerbated by postural anomalies and structural restrictions. In the case of the golf swing, large rotational forces are required. These forces need to be resolved through the joints of the spine, pelvis and, to some extent, the knees and ankles. If there are restrictions in any of these joints, for whatever reason, habitual poor posture; or innate structural anomalies such as a scoliosis for example, then injury may occur.

Through analysis of posture, structure and the biomechanics of motion, osteopathy and sports massage work together to discover the underlying source of a problem and to create an individualised treatment approach.