From the twice a week gym goer to the elite sports professional, osteopathy can play a key role in treating sports injuries and preventing further injuries.

Sports and osteopathy

The fundamental concept of osteopathy is that the wellbeing of a person relies on the bones, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues working well together and we achieve this by moving, stretching and massaging the muscles and joints.

Whether basketball player or short distance runner seeking pain relief, osteopathy can:

• Increase joint mobility
• Increase the blood supply to tissues throughout the body
• Relieve muscle tension
• Help the body to heal after injury
• Restore function to the body

Osteopathic treatment immediately before and after sports

In professional sport, massage is regularly used immediately before and after sporting events. It achieves looser, more relaxed muscles that are warmed and ready to compete, and relaxes and cools the body following sport to release lactic acid and reduce aches and pains in the days to come.

Tips for injury prevention – From an Osteopath

• Always start your exercise slowly and build up your stamina – particularly following an injury
• Gently warm up and down with stretches that work through the body
• Drink water regularly throughout your exercise/sports session. The salt lost through sweat can quickly increase the chance of muscle injury.
• Exercise regularly and consistently, rather than jumping straight into a tough routine to which your body isn’t accustomed

Performance and osteopathy

Beyond providing essential care and treatment for overcoming sports injuries, osteopathy can also boost performance. As osteopaths we have advanced palpatory skills that can improve structural balance, improve joint mobility, restore function, reduce tissue adhesions and soft tissue restrictions. All of which help your body to to achieve its peak performance.

The osteopathy professional

All qualified osteopaths have trained for four or five years before they treat your injury. Their degree is, in many ways, similar to a medical degree – with a focus on anatomy and musculoskeletal medicine, so we are highly skilled and equipped to diagnose, treat and prevent sports injuries.

The practice of osteopathy identifies issues in relation to muscles, bones and tissues; this versatile and wide-ranging approach means that osteopathy is then ideal for honing in on issues that create pain or specific injuries.

So if you’re a keen sportsperson, and finding you’re experiencing aches and pains, then give us a call on 020 8316 5316.