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Sports Therapy What is a Sports Therapist? A Sports Therapist is a practitioner who: Has the knowledge and ability to provide first aid and attend to injuries in a recreational, training and competitive environment. Has the knowledge and ability to assess treat and where appropriate, refer on for specialist advice and intervention. Has the knowledge and ability to provide sports massage pre and post activity. Has the knowledge and ability to implement appropriate rehabilitation programmes. What is Sports Therapy? Sports Therapy uses massage, soft tissue manipulation and exercises to locate and repair injured areas within the body. Contrary to popular belief, sports therapy is not just for sports people. The mobilisation techniques used also form part of the treatment for most soft tissue related conditions. Sports massage Sports massage is very common in professional sports and is now becoming more readily available to the amateur sports person. The main aims of treatment are: To enhance performance To help prevent injury in the healthy athlete To help treat any injury and promote recovery Pre event massage is designed to prepare the athlete for competition and can be considered as anything from two days to 10 minutes prior to the event. This often takes the form of a brief but stimulatory massage to encourage blood flow to the muscles but has to be specific to the needs of the athlete Post event massage is often part of a warm down routine and helps the muscles recover from activity. It is usually a slow and thorough treatment and may include stretching techniques and application of ice/ice massage Treatment of injuries Sports injuries are generally divided into two areas Trauma and Overuse. The treatment of any injury should ideally begin as soon as the injury happens with a qualified therapist giving advice/treatment. In amateur sport however this stage of the process is often not available or is overlooked. Before treatment can begin, the sports therapist will need to asses the injury and take a thorough history to determine at what stage of healing/repair the body is in and to decide upon an appropriate treatment regime. Treatment may include: Massage techniques Soft tissue mobilisation Joint mobilisation Use of heat or cold Specific stretching techniques Specific exercises Strapping/Taping Electrotherapy Advice on self help and a home exercise The Sports Therapist is Andy Pyatt.

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