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Sports Injury Treatment at Focus Osteopathy
Getting to the Cause of Sports Injuries
Most sports injuries do not arrive dramatically. Something niggles for a few weeks, you train around it, and eventually you are either managing it permanently or sitting out.
Our osteopaths at our Murrumbeena and Mount Waverley clinics work with people across various sports, such as running, team sports, gym and general training. The aim is not just to settle the injury but to work out what caused it, because the same load that produced it once will usually produce it again.
Are You Dealing With Any of the Following?
Sports complaints tend to fall into a few patterns. These are the ones we see most.
How Osteopathy Approaches Sports Injuries
The starting point is working out what happened and what stage you are at, because early management differs considerably from what is appropriate in the weeks to follow.
Your osteopath will assess the injured area and how it is being loaded, which usually means looking further up and down the chain. A calf complaint may relate to ankle range, a hamstring to hip control, a shoulder to what the upper back is doing. They will also ask about your training: what you were doing, what changed, and what you are aiming to get back to.
Treatment combines hands-on techniques with a graded return to load, since tissue capacity is what allows you to train without the injury returning. Your program gradually progresses as you do. Osteopathic treatment may help with recovery and function for some people, though timeframes depend heavily on the injury and how you respond.
What to Do in the Meantime
Four things worth knowing while you are working out your next step.
Modify Rather Than Stop Entirely
Complete rest deconditions the area, so reducing load, changing the activity or shortening sessions is sometimes a better option than doing nothing. Of course, if you’re unsure - chat to our team first.
Do Not Rush the Return
Feeling better and being ready to load fully are two different things, and returning too early is the most common reason injuries recur.
Look at What Changed
Training volume, intensity, surface, footwear or a new session squeezed into the week. The cause often occurs a week or two before the symptoms present.
Get It Assessed Early
Niggles are easier to sort out than long standing problems, and early assessment can often shorten the whole process.
When to Seek Medical Assessment
Some injuries need medical attention before manual therapy. See a doctor or head to the emergency department if you cannot bear weight, if the joint looks deformed, if there was an audible pop with immediate swelling and loss of function, if there is significant swelling within an hour of injury, or if you have numbness, pins and needles or loss of movement. Head knocks with any confusion, memory loss, nausea or visual disturbance need immediate medical assessment.
Why Choose an Osteopath for Sports Injuries?
Here are some of the reasons why people choose an osteopath for their sports injuries.
We Look for What Caused It, Not Just Where It Hurts
The injured tissue is only part of the picture, so your osteopath at Focus Osteopathy assesses how you move and what was loading the area.
Treatment Comes With a Return to Load Plan
Hands on work settles the area, and graded loading is what gets you back to training, with a goal of the injury not recurring.
Your Sport and Training Are Part of the Assessment
Volume, intensity and what changed recently are usually where the answer is, so they are discussed properly rather than in passing.
You Are Treated on the Same Visit
Assessment and hands on treatment happen in the same appointment, so you leave with something done and a plan in place.
A Realistic Timeframe, Not an Optimistic One
You will get an honest view of how long this is likely to take and when returning to full training is sensible.
University Trained and Nationally Registered
Osteopaths complete a five year university qualification and are registered with the Osteopathy Board of Australia through AHPRA, and no referral is required.
The Focus Osteo Process in Murrumbeena & Mt Waverley
what to expect in your first visit
There’s a reason our patients don’t keep coming back for the same problem. We don’t just chase symptoms, we find what’s causing your pain and address the root cause of your discomfort.
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We listen & assess
We hear your story and assess thoroughly to find the true cause of your pain, not just where it hurts.
We explain it clearly
No jargon. We show you what's happening and why, so you feel confident in the plan ahead.
We treat the cause
Hands on osteopathy tailored to you, targeting the source of your discomfort to live & feel better.
We keep you moving
A simple strength and mobility plan stops the problem returning, so you stay active for the long run.
We can help you decide
Find Out if Osteopathy Is Right for You
Choosing an osteopath is an important decision. That’s why we offer a free, no-obligation discovery session, giving you the opportunity to meet our team, discuss your concerns, and ask any questions before deciding if we’re the right fit for you.
* Note: there is no treatment given at one of our free discovery session. It’s for you to ask us more questions and for us to confirm whether or not we think we can help you. Refer to the ‘Terms and Conditions‘ page for more detail.
Ready to book your appointment?
Online bookings are available for your convenience. Please note – if you can’t find a suitable appointment time, please contact our clinic and our team will be happy to help arrange a time that works for you.
focus Osteopathy Services
Osteopathy could Help You
Osteopathy may be appropriate for a range of musculoskeletal concerns. Explore some of the common conditions our osteopaths assess and manage below.
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Download our free information guides
Practical information written by our osteopaths. Covering common musculoskeletal complaints and general self care advice. Choose the guide that suits you and download it for free.
