Sports Injuries

Get back to doing what you enjoy

Whether you’re training in the gym, running, playing football, cricket or golf, an injury can quickly get in the way of the activities you enjoy.

Sports injuries can happen suddenly, such as following a twist, fall or collision, or they can develop gradually as your body adapts to repeated activity and increasing training demands.

Understanding what may be contributing to your symptoms and finding the right way to manage your injury can help you work towards returning to the activities that matter to you.

At Castle Eden Chiropractic, we take the time to understand your injury, your training and your goals before developing a personalised approach to your care.

What causes sports injuries?

Sports injuries can occur for many different reasons. Sometimes there is one clear incident, while other injuries develop gradually as the demands placed on your body exceed your current capacity.

Common factors can include:

• Sudden increases in training volume or intensity

• Repetitive movements

• Returning to sport after a period of reduced activity

• Changes in training surfaces or equipment

• Poor recovery between sessions

• Previous injuries

• Fatigue

• Repetitive or sustained movements

• A mismatch between current capacity and training demands

An injury doesn’t necessarily mean that something has been “damaged” or that your body is out of alignment. Understanding how your body is responding to the demands placed on it can be more useful when planning your recovery.

What sports injuries can we help with?

Sports injuries can affect almost any area of the body. Common problems can include:

• Lower back pain

• Neck and upper back pain

• Shoulder pain

• Hip pain

• Knee pain

• Muscle strains

• Joint pain and stiffness

• Overuse injuries

• Exercise-related aches and pains

The same symptoms can have different causes, so an individual assessment is important before deciding how an injury should be managed.

If your injury requires medical assessment, imaging or another form of specialist care, we can advise you on the most appropriate next step.

How can chiropractic care help with sports injuries?

Your first appointment will begin with a detailed discussion about your symptoms, your training and what you want to get back to doing.

We’ll consider factors such as:

• What activity or sport you participate in

• How often and how intensely you train

• When your symptoms started

• Whether there was a specific injury

• What movements or activities aggravate your symptoms

• What you have already tried

• Your goals for returning to activity

We’ll then carry out an appropriate physical assessment to help understand your presentation and determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for you.

Depending on your individual needs, your care may include:

• Hands-on treatment

• Manual techniques may be used to help manage pain and improve movement where appropriate.

• Exercise and rehabilitation

• Specific exercises can help you build strength, movement and capacity to meet the demands of your sport.

• Training and activity advice

• We can help you understand how to modify your training while you recover and gradually increase your activity.

• Education

• Understanding your injury and what you can safely do during recovery can help you feel more confident about returning to activity.

• A personalised approach

• Your treatment and rehabilitation will be based on your symptoms, your sport and your individual goals.

Do I need to stop playing sport?

Not necessarily.

Whether you need to stop an activity will depend on your injury and how your symptoms respond to movement.

In many cases, completely stopping all activity isn’t necessary. Instead, you may be able to modify the intensity, volume or type of training while maintaining an appropriate level of activity.

As your symptoms improve, your training can be gradually progressed towards the demands of your sport.

For example, returning to running might involve gradually increasing distance and speed, while returning to golf could involve progressively increasing your swing volume and intensity.

The goal is to help you build the capacity and confidence you need to return to the activities you enjoy.

Preventing future injuries

There is no way to guarantee that you will never experience another sports injury. However, there are things you can do to help your body cope with the demands of your chosen activities.

This can include:

• Increasing training loads gradually

• Building strength and physical capacity

• Allowing adequate recovery between sessions

• Varying your training where appropriate

• Maintaining fitness during periods of reduced activity

• Addressing previous injuries appropriately

• Listening to changes in your symptoms and performance

Injury prevention isn’t about avoiding movement or trying to maintain perfect technique. It’s about gradually building your ability to tolerate the demands of your sport.

When should I seek medical advice?

Some sports injuries require assessment from another healthcare professional.

Seek urgent medical attention if your injury is associated with:

• A significant deformity

• Inability to put weight through a limb when you would normally expect to

• Significant or rapidly increasing swelling

• Loss of sensation or significant weakness

• Severe pain following a major injury

• Loss of consciousness or significant head injury

• Chest pain or difficulty breathing

• Other symptoms that make you feel seriously unwell

If you’re unsure about the severity of an injury, it’s always appropriate to seek medical advice.