How could a Sports Rehabilitator/Therapist help you?

What is a Sports Rehabilitator (SR)?

We are medical practitioners that focus on assisting patients to optimise their healing, alleviate pain, return to functioning throughout daily life and, progress general health and fitness.

How could a SR help me?

1) An initial consultation with a SR will involve carrying out an assessment, identifying any predisposing factors to musculoskeletal illnesses, pain related disorders or injuries. This means any issues associated with muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, joints whether they arise at the knee, ankle, elbow, shoulder, neck etc

2) Next a SR will begin to tailor a recovery plan to help the patient return to daily function and physical activity. This may be delivered in the form of manual techniques such as soft tissue massage and athletic taping, or via prescribing specific exercises and stretches to promote healing or healthy functioning of the affected areas of the body.

Who and what do they treat?

Despite the name, SR’s treat patients of all ages, varying activity levels, a range of medical conditions, injuries and even pregnant women.

Here are some commonly treated conditions:

• Pains and sprains in ankles, knees, shoulder, groin, hip ect
• Post-operative rehabilitation – (spinal, shoulder and knee surgery, joint replacements)
•  Total knee replacement rehabilitation
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Cruciate ligament rehabilitation
• Tennis elbow
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Bursitis
• Injuries with uncertain diagnosis
• Post spinal surgery
• Post trauma, including fractures
• Chronic pain
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Arthritis
• Back pain

SR’s can also assist with exercise and activity to help manage health conditions such as: Cardiovascular conditions, Respiratory conditions, Obesity, Diabetes

How do they differ from other therapists like Physiotherapists?

SR’s have a specialised focus on biomechanics (movement assessment), injury prevention, exercise based rehabilitation and returning patients to high levels of physical functioning.

SR’s are pioneers and experts in exercise prescription and empowering patients to improve their own health/fitness through exercises and stretching.

Take home message!

More than just a Massage! Assessment + Management + Treatment + Prevention

If you have an injury or a pain related disorder or illness, then a Sports Rehabilitator may be able to assist you in alleviating your pain and improving your functioning, fitness and wellbeing.

By Jack Simmonds MSc Hons 

Sports Rehabilitator