Abbey sports physio is highly specialised in the assessment and treatment of injuries related to sport and exercise at all ages and levels of ability. They work closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure that patients are provided with the best care.
An initial consultation by sports physio Woodville will include discussion of your medical history and the sport(s) you take part in. They will then perform a thorough examination using a variety of tests and equipment.
Flexibility
Flexibility is the ability of muscle and joints to move through their full normal range of motion without restriction or pain. It is important for performance, posture, and movement efficiency, and decreases injury risk. It also improves balance, promotes proper joint alignment, and helps maintain appropriate muscle length.
There are two types of flexibility: static and dynamic. Static is the ability to assume a position and hold it for a period to create a stretch somewhere else. Dynamic flexibility involves the release of energy with proper timing to control the muscles that are contracting. It is a more natural way to move your body and increases the speed of movement, but it requires good muscle control.
In sports physio, we use dynamic stretching to warm up before physical exertion and to increase blood flow to the muscles before the work out or game begins. It is a key component of the sport’s warm up because it prepares muscles for movement and decreases the risk of injury.
Unlike other more general or systemic fitness components, flexibility is highly specific to each joint. This makes it difficult to isolate an association between a particular flexibility test and a health outcome. For example, the sit-and-reach test may be associated with lower back pain, but it does not necessarily correlate with other health outcomes.
Strengthening
Sports physio Woodville are highly trained in the assessment and treatment of injuries related to sports and exercise at all levels and ages. This specialised approach is different from everyday injuries as the demands of sport put much higher strain on the ligaments, muscles, and joints.
A good sports physiotherapist will help patients understand the injury and how to prevent it from occurring again. They will also teach them a series of exercises to strengthen the area. This will ensure that you are not at a greater risk of injury in the future and that you can continue to enjoy your favourite hobby or sport without pain.
Strength training has been shown to improve both athletic performance and decrease the risk of injury. A sports physiotherapist is trained to perform a needs analysis of the athlete and their sport and will prescribe a specific strength program that will target the area’s most likely to be injured in their sport.
A sports physiotherapist will also have counselling skills to cater to the emotional needs of their patients. They will be able to reassure the patient and build their morale throughout the recovery process. This will increase the chance of a speedy and successful rehabilitation. Ideally, the physiotherapist will work alongside a strength and conditioning coach to ensure that the patient has the best possible chance of returning to their sport injury free.
Post-injury recovery
If you’re an athlete, a sports physiotherapist can help you recover from your injury quickly. They’ll guide you through exercises that keep your muscles and joints flexible and strong while you’re injured. In addition, visiting sports physio Woodville will help you develop good movement patterns to prevent injuries in the future.
Aside from the physical aspects of sports physiotherapy, these professionals also have counselling skills. This is important for building hope in their patients. Athletes are often frustrated by the slowness of the recovery process. Moreover, they may feel pressure from coaches and teammates to return to their sport faster. This can lead to an untimely and unsafe return to training.
Aside from helping patients recover from injuries, sports physiotherapy can also boost athletic performance. This is achieved by enhancing muscle strength, improving balance and coordination, and increasing reaction time. Some physiotherapists can even design a personalised workout program that will help you achieve your desired performance goals. In some cases, the therapists might also work closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure that you’re well-taken care.
Injury prevention
The most important aspect of injury prevention is to have a good strength programme that addresses all the muscle groups involved in your sport. This is a key component to decreasing the risk of injury and improving performance. A physiotherapist will work with you to create an individualised training programme.
This will include specific exercises, stretches and techniques to help reduce injury. They will also advise on nutrition and other lifestyle factors that may have a role to play in your injury prevention.