Sports injury and performance

Most of the sports injuries we treat do not come from elite sport. They come from a half marathon someone entered in January, a first season back at hockey, a club run that went further than planned, or a sore elbow that has quietly got worse since the spring. The approach is the same either way. Work out what failed and why, treat it, then rebuild the tissue and the training habit that caused it, so the same thing does not happen next season.

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We assess and treat acute injuries, the overuse problems that build slowly, and the stubborn ones that have already had rest and ice and have not improved. We also do the unglamorous half of the job properly, which is the graded return to running, lifting or serving that decides whether the injury stays fixed.

Should I rest it or come in

Rest on its own rarely fixes a tendon problem, and it is usually not the answer for a stiff joint either. If something has been sore for more than a week or two, or it is stopping you training, an assessment is worth having early rather than after three months of hoping. If you cannot put weight on it, or the joint gave way, or there was a loud pop at the time, come in sooner.

What is the difference between sports massage and physiotherapy

Sports massage is soft tissue work. It eases tight, overloaded muscle and it is a useful part of a training week. Physiotherapy diagnoses and treats the underlying problem, which may not be the muscle that hurts. If you are unsure which you need, book the assessment and we will tell you honestly, including when massage alone is all you require.

Can you look at my running

Yes. A running assessment looks at how you actually move, on video, and connects that to the injury you keep getting. It is most useful for the recurring problems, the knee that flares up at eight miles or the calf that goes every autumn, where changing something about the way you load your leg matters more than treating the sore bit again.

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Man in red athletic top receives assisted shoulder stretch with blue resistance band from therapist
Person kneels to support reddened ankle of runner on red trackCyclist in red kit on road bike riding past low sun over open field

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon after an injury should I be seen?
Earlier is generally better. For a sudden injury, being assessed within the first few days means we can tell you what is damaged and protect it properly. For a niggle that has been building, come in once it has lasted a week or two rather than waiting for it to settle on its own.
Do I need a sports massage or physiotherapy?
Sports massage treats tight and overloaded soft tissue and is useful alongside training. Physiotherapy works out why the problem is happening and treats the cause, which is not always the part that aches. If you are not sure, book a physiotherapy assessment and we will tell you which you actually need.
What happens in a running and gait analysis?
We film you running, usually on a treadmill, and look at how you load each leg, what your foot does at contact, and how your hips and trunk behave when you tire. We then link that to the injury you keep getting and change the things worth changing, in your running or in your strength work.