What is sports therapy?
There is often confusion regarding the difference between physiotherapy and sports therapy, as they both deal with similar health concerns. While sports therapists do apply physiotherapy skills, sports therapy is specifically concerned with the prevention and treatment of sport-related injuries using a variety of modalities and techniques.
Another common misconception is that sports therapists only work with professional athletes – this is not true. No matter what your occupation is or your sporting ability, if your injury is sports or exercise-related, a sports therapist will look to help you.
Utilising the principles of sports science, the therapy uses various techniques, such as sports massage, to help people recover from injuries and support their rehabilitation. As well as helping you to recover from injury, a sports therapist will also use their skills to optimise your performance and support you in your sporting/exercise endeavours.
The Society of Sports Therapists defines a sports therapist as a healthcare professional who has the knowledge, skills and ability to do the following:
- utilise sports and exercise principles to optimise performance
- provide immediate care of injuries
- offer basic life support in a recreational, training and/or competitive environment
- provide sport and remedial massage in a sport and exercise context
- plan and implement appropriate rehabilitation programmes.
A sports therapist should also be qualified to refer patients to other medical specialists as and when required.
Common sports injuries
When you exercise or play sports regularly, certain parts of the body can become susceptible to strain or injury. Sports injuries can be caused by various things, including not warming up properly, pushing yourself too hard, or simply suffering an accident. When injuries happen, they may require you to rest or adapt your activities while you recover, depending on the type and severity of the injury.
While exercise is beneficial to your health, it is important to be aware of some common sports injuries. If you feel pain somewhere in your body when exercising or playing a sport, stop the activity and assess your symptoms. Seek medical advice if the pain is severe, persistent, or getting worse.
Some common sports injuries to be aware of include:
Back injuries
Many people will suffer from back pain at some point in their life, whether it's due to a recurring problem or bad posture. Those who exercise regularly may also encounter back problems. The most common of these are muscle strains and ligament sprains. Athletic overuse, insufficient stretching or even trauma can cause these sorts of sprains.
Other common injuries in sports enthusiasts include spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis. Spondylolysis involves a stress fracture or defect in part of a vertebra, while spondylolisthesis occurs when one vertebra slips out of position relative to another. These injuries are normally seen in those who participate in sports that involve a degree of twisting and hyperextension of the spine (for example, gymnastics).
Ankle and foot injuries
Other parts of the body that can cause problems for regular exercisers are the ankles and feet. Ankle sprains are perhaps the most common of these sorts of injuries, especially for those who run and jump when they exercise. Turf toe (pain at the base of the big toe) is another well-known injury and is common for those who play sports on artificial turf. Breaks and fractures are less common but can occur as a result of trauma or severe overuse.
Knee injuries
Knees can cause health problems for many people, and knee pain is a common complaint for sports participants. There are several different causes of knee pain, including:
- arthritis
- ligament injuries
- cartilage injuries
- meniscal tears
- tendinitis
- dislocated kneecap.
Uncovering the root cause of knee pain is important – some injuries may require assessment and treatment to prevent ongoing problems.
Hip injuries
The hips are part of our core and are central to many movements the human body makes. Common causes for pain in this area include inflammation of the joint and muscle strains. Again, these conditions can occur due to overuse and trauma. Stress fractures in the hip are another complaint – these are most prevalent in those who participate in high-impact sports, such as long-distance running.
Wrist injuries
If the sport you play involves wrist action (for example, tennis or basketball), you may find yourself susceptible to wrist injuries. Sprains and tendinitis are typical examples. However, long-term conditions such as arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome can also cause problems.
Elbow injuries
Similarly to wrist injuries, sports that require a lot of arm movement also leave you susceptible to elbow pain. One of the best-known sporting injuries in this category is known as tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). This condition involves pain over the outside of the joint and can make it difficult for the sufferer to grip objects. Despite its name, most patients with this condition don't play tennis.
Other elbow injuries include fractures from trauma and nerve compression (radial tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome are typical examples). As with other joint injuries and conditions, persistent or worsening elbow pain should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
Shoulder injuries
The shoulder is a complex part of the body and therefore can be the cause of many sports injuries. The rotator cuff in particular is often affected, with tendinitis of the cuff and tears seen regularly by sports therapists.
Another condition called frozen shoulder can also be a problem. This is where the joint stiffens and almost locks, inhibiting mobilisation. On the flip side of this, shoulder instability is a problem that makes the shoulder joint loose and prone to dislocation.
What will happen when I see a sports therapist?
While sports therapists may use different approaches and techniques, generally your treatment will follow this format:
- initial consultation
- assessment
- treatment
- rehabilitation
- prehabilitation.
Initial consultation
During your initial consultation, your sports therapist will look to find out more about you and why you are there. You may be asked some questions about your lifestyle, medical history, and any other relevant information (for example, previous injuries and treatment).
When your therapist has detailed information about your background, they will be better able to assess you. This is also an opportunity for you to get to know the therapist better and ask any questions you may have about their experience.
Assessment
This part of the process will help your sports therapist understand what your injury is and how best to treat it. The assessment may involve physical elements such as checking your posture, functional movements and ligament stability tests. If your symptoms require further investigation or are outside the therapist's scope of practice, they may recommend seeing a GP or another healthcare professional. Your therapist can then discuss appropriate next steps with you.
Treatment
Once you have agreed on a treatment plan together, your sports therapist will carry this out. There are many different treatments that can be used, and some may take a multidisciplinary approach. If you are unsure what your treatment will entail, be sure to raise this with your therapist.
Rehabilitation
Depending on the nature of your condition or injury, sports rehabilitation may be required. Rehabilitation aims to help you manage your condition and support your recovery, helping you return to everyday activities or sport where possible. Your sports therapist can guide you through this, offering tips and advice to help you cope in everyday life.
Prehabilitation
Within sports therapy, the term prehabilitation relates to reducing your risk of future injuries. By giving you advice and suggested exercises to carry out, your sports therapist can help you reduce the likelihood of the same injury happening again.
Sports therapy treatments
Sports therapy utilises a number of techniques to help manage symptoms and support rehabilitation. While the specific treatment used will depend on the nature of your injury and your own personal history, the following techniques are commonly used:
- massage
- mobilisation
- myofascial release
- electrotherapy
- hot/cold treatment.
Massage
Many sports therapists will be able to offer sports massage or remedial massage to help ease muscle tension and discomfort, and support recovery alongside other rehabilitation approaches. Within the realm of massage, there are many different techniques that are used, including:
- Effleurage – a term used to describe a series of light massage strokes that warm up the muscles before deeper work begins.
- Petrissage – a stronger technique that kneads the soft tissue to help ease muscle tension.
- Tapotement – this method is a rhythmic movement, usually using the side of the hand or tips of the fingers. This action is used to stimulate the area being massaged.
- Neuromuscular techniques – helping to treat pain, this technique involves applying concentrated pressure to muscle areas to help ease muscle tension and discomfort.
- Positional release – this is a specialised technique that requires the therapist to locate the tender joint/tendon/ligament in the body and then position it in a certain way to help reduce discomfort.
Mobilisation
Mobilisation is a manual therapy that is designed to help restore joint movement and range of motion in the event of joint dysfunction. The sports therapist will gently move the joint in a passive way within the limit of the joint's normal range of motion. This kind of movement needs to be very specific and gentle, so it must be carried out by a qualified professional. If joint dysfunction is left untreated, it may contribute to ongoing muscle spasms, pain, and discomfort.
Myofascial release
Also known as soft tissue mobilisation, myofascial release is used to help ease discomfort and improve movement in the muscles and surrounding connective tissue. Fascia are sheets of fibrous tissue that surround muscles, separating them into groups.
Techniques used in myofascial release involve applying gentle, sustained pressure to soft tissues, with the aim of reducing discomfort and improving flexibility and movement.
Electrotherapy
Some sports therapists may use electrotherapy in your treatment. This covers a range of treatments, including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and laser treatment. TENS uses a mild electrical current delivered to the nerves through pads placed on the skin. It may provide temporary relief for certain types of pain, although it does not work for everyone.
Hot/cold treatment
Hot and cold treatments are typically used for injuries to help manage pain and discomfort. Heat treatments are normally used after the acute injury stage has passed to help ease muscle stiffness and discomfort.
What is cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is the use of cold temperatures as a form of treatment. In sports therapy, it may be used to help manage pain following an injury.
Research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that cold therapy may help reduce pain following an injury, although there is limited evidence that it speeds up tissue healing. This might include using ice packs, ice massages, or gel packs. Cryotherapy should be used carefully, as prolonged exposure to extreme cold can cause skin damage and nerve injuries.
Qualifications and regulation
Currently, the profession of sports therapist is not subject to statutory regulation in the UK, although professional organisations continue to campaign for statutory regulation. The title 'sports therapist' is not legally protected, so it's important to check a practitioner's qualifications, training, and experience.
Sports therapists may belong to professional organisations, which set membership requirements and professional standards. Some practitioners may also be eligible to join a voluntary register, depending on their qualifications and the therapies they provide. Professional membership and voluntary registration are not the same as statutory regulation.
To find out more about the various sports therapy professional bodies, please see our professional body page.
Find a sports therapist
If you're recovering from a sports injury or experiencing pain during exercise, a sports therapist may be able to help. They can assess your needs, discuss suitable treatment options, and support your rehabilitation.
Browse our directory to find a sports therapist near you and learn more about their qualifications, experience, and approach.
