SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPY

Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy

When playing sports, you’re bound to have an injury at some point or another.

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Sports Physiotherapy Toorak, Glen Iris & East Malvern

We employ physiotherapists who work with you to understand your physical injuries, regain your function pain free, and stay active, healthy and happy. 


We specialise in acute injuries for all sports especially tennis, football (all codes), netball, basketball and martial arts.


The accurate diagnosis and treatment from the onset of an acute injury can help to facilitate the healing process, decrease pain and restore neuromuscular function sooner. 


We offer the following acute sports injury services:


  • Sports taping
  • Advanced manual therapy (joint & soft tissue)
  • Clinical Neurodynamics Mobilisation
  • Dry needling
  • Radial Shock Wave Therapy
  • Patient education and management plan
  • Gait & Running re-education
  • Sports-specific retraining and drills


Our physiotherapists are athletes or former athletes who have performed at elite level, so they understand the mental and physical toll that injuries can have on you and your career. 


Through hands-on treatment and exercise prescription we can treat and re-train you so that you can get back to doing what you love. 


We deal with the following sports injuries:


  • Lower back injuries 
  • ACL Rehab
  • Shoulder injuries
  • Plantar Fasciopathy/Facsiitis
  • Achilles Tendinopathy/Tendinitis
  • Tennis and golf elbow
  • Hand and wrist injuries
  • Hip and Gluteal pain
  • Quad strain 
  • Hamstring strain 
  • Patella-Femoral pain Syndrome
  • Calf strain
  • Knee injuries
  • Sprained ankle
  • Shin splint
  • Foot injuries
  • Exercise and breast support 


We offer a variety of services in Glen Iris, Carnegie & Chadstone

We take our time to get to know the patient, the injury and we develop a long-term treatment plan to fix the problem.

Sports Physiotherapy Services:
  • Advanced joints
  • Spinal manipulation
  • Neurodynamic mobilisation
  • Soft tissue massage
  • Shock Wave Therapy
  • Dry needling
  • Exercise prescription and strengthening program
  • Biomechanical assessments of techniques
  • Gait and running analysis
  • Musculoskeletal screening
  • Strapping/Kinesio tape
  • Postural correction
  • Clinical and mat Pilates
  • Education on the training regimes

Acute Sports Injury Management & Treatment

Sports injuries heal best when treatment begins as soon as practicable following the injury. The athlete must immediately STOP playing and avoid any movement which produces pain. In the acute phase and sudden onset of pain the POLICE protocol should commence immediately to facilitate the healing process:
  • Protect

    The principal of "Protect" emphasises the importance of avoiding further tissue damage, but this doesn’t infer indefinite immobilization. Apply supportive & protective sports tape (must be removed gently after 48 hours) and cushioning, if suitable. Crutches or braces can also be used, if suitable.

  • Optimal Loading

    Optimal loading will stimulate the healing process because bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles all require some loading to facilitate the healing process.  By way of an example in the case of an ankle sprain, activation of the calf muscles helps to move swelling up the body against gravity. Whereas complete rest would prevent this process. In some injuries loading may not be necessary i.e. severe fractures that need surgery.

    Also, be sure to rest the injured area from aggravating movements in order to reduce further tissue damage, bleeding and inflammation.

  • Ice

    Place crushed ice wrapped in a wet towel (or plastic bag) and apply to the injury for 15-20 min followed by 2 hours off, for the first 48 hours (repeat this up to 4-5 times a day after the injury). Do not place the ice pack directly on the skin. Please take extra care with children, the elderly and people with a high sensitivity to the cold.

  • Compression

    Arms and legs may be firmly wrapped (not too tightly) in order to control swelling but not during sleep. You can wear compression garments or arm sleeve.

  • Elevation

    Arms and legs may be elevated >45 degrees to drain swelling towards the heart: do this for 10min every two hours.

Follow the NO HARMS protocol for the first 72 hours

Recovery, Nutrition & Psychology

Recovery

Ongoing good nutrition and recovery are key to high performance.

Before training: eat and drink, keep well-hydrated, monitor your weight with minimal clothing, and make sure you warm up properly. 


For the first 5-10 minutes after training: cool down with light aerobic exercise, eat a high protein snack, stretch and hydrate!


10-20 minutes after training: continue to hydrate and self-massage.


Within two hours after training: eat food and continue to hydrate.


That evening: have a warm shower, continue to hydrate and use relaxation techniques.


Next day: check urine colour, eat healthy foods and do a pool recovery session.

Nutrition

When playing sports you can sustain an injury. We

provide you with basic nutritional advice and if necessary we refer you to a sports dietitian.

Psychology

Poor recovery can contribute to stress, staleness, burnout and injuries. 


Athletes must recuperate through a variety of recovery strategies and they should be diligent about applying them regularly. 


Recovery strategies include regeneration, physiological and behavioural strategies and some coping responses. 


Increased physical, mental and emotional demands and stressors on the athlete require greater recovery. 


The psychological gains from good recovery practices include: increased motivation, a stronger sense of wellbeing and the reduction of training and life stress.

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