Sports Therapy Explained
1st December 2019What is Sports Therapy?
Sports Therapy differs from other manual therapies; it was developed to meet the need for specialists to support and rehabilitate professional athletes, but more recently the ‘active population’. Sports Therapists have a sound understanding of ‘soft tissue’ and joint function, training/competitive demands, knowledge of strength and conditioning, training plans and individual sports specialisms. However, they also treat all kinds of musculoskeletal issues whatever the origin, with patients enjoying and benefiting from the very ‘hands on’ approach and focus on the safe return to day-to-day activities and or sport.
In terms of qualifications, some Sports Therapists have a degree or Masters, whilst some have trained in an incremental way up to a Level 5 certification.
- Assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of minor niggles through to major injuries and surgery
- Regular support with sports massage maintenance sessions, functional assessments, strength work
From The Society of Sports Therapists:
“Sports Therapy is an aspect of healthcare that is specifically concerned with the prevention of injury and the rehabilitation of the patient back to optimum levels of functional, occupational and sports specific fitness, regardless of age and ability. It utilises the principles of sport and exercise science incorporating physiological and pathological processes to prepare the participant for training, competition and where applicable, work.”
We also have 5 key areas or pillars that we refer to when summarising what we do, these include:
- Prevention
- Recognition & Evaluation
- Management, Treatment & Referral
- Rehabilitation
- Education & Professional Practise Issues
