Sports injury rehabilitation

A plan built around your sport

The demands of a football match, tennis session and weekend run are different. Tell your osteopath what you play, your training schedule, how the problem began and what you want to return to. Assessment considers the injury and the specific movements your activity requires.

From assessment to a staged return

The first step is deciding whether the injury is suitable for conservative care or needs medical investigation. Where rehabilitation is appropriate, the plan may include load changes, individual strength and movement work, and progressive practice of sport-specific tasks. Hands-on treatment may support symptom management but should not replace the active parts of rehabilitation.

Agree on how progress will be assessed. Walking comfortably may be an early milestone; sprinting, repeated jumps or changing direction may be later requirements. A calendar date alone cannot establish readiness for competition.

Tennis and other racquet sports

Elbow, shoulder and lower-limb symptoms can interfere with serving, gripping and court movement. Bring details of recent changes to training or equipment. A return plan can consider hitting volume, recovery between sessions and the response the following day.

Running discomfort and side stitches

A familiar transient stitch during running is different from unexplained persistent abdominal pain. Stop and seek medical advice for severe, persistent or unusual symptoms, especially with chest pain, faintness, breathing difficulty, fever or vomiting. Do not assume all exercise-related pain is a muscle problem.

Preparing for your appointment

• Bring existing reports and any advice from your GP, sports doctor or surgeon.
• Describe your usual week and any recent increase in distance, speed or intensity.
• Identify a realistic first goal and discuss when the plan will be reviewed.

Related information

• Hamstring injuries
• Elbow pain & tennis elbow
• Shin pain & shin splints
• Stress fractures & rehabilitation