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Sports Injuries

7 reasons to see your Physio ASAP

1. Assessment

Having your problem properly assessed at the outset is very important. Your physiotherapist can refer you for X-rays if necessary. For many sports injuries, physiotherapy will be the main form of management and so treatment can start immediately . Your physiotherapist can refer you to your family doctor or a sports physician if further intervention is required.

2. To regain movement

Regaining movement in an injured part is crucial. A graduated program of exercise to achieve this can safely be commenced very early in most injuries.

3. To begin using the injured part

Very often one can start using the injured part, within certain guidelines, soon after injury. Accelerated rehabilitation plays an important role in sports injury management. For example, after a hamstring strain, one can start walking and progress to gentle jogging within a day or so after the injury.

4. To prevent muscle wasting

One of the big problems after injury is muscle weakness and wasting. Swelling or pain inhibition can cause this. Your physiotherapist will initiate exercises designed to avert this, or to overcome this should it become a problem.

5. To reduce pain and inflammation

Reducing pain and inflammation as quickly as possible is very important. Usually the RICER regime is a good early intervention. Several of the various physiotherapy modalities, such as ultrasound, can be helpful. So too can measures such as rubbing in anti-inflammatory gel.

6. To plan a graduated return to sport

The main goal of most injured athletes is to return to sport as quickly as possible. Your physiotherapist can guide you through this process so that you return to sport safely within a realistic time frame.

7. Prevention of further injury

Preventing recurrent or further injury is a major concern. Measures such as strapping the injured part and performing ongoing rehabilitation exercises can be very important.