Whether you’re an enthusiastic amateur or an elite professional you may be liable to occasional injury which can interfere with your enjoyment, and even quality of life. An osteopath can help with the prevention and treatment of common sporting injuries.

The treatment of sports injuries by osteopaths is an increasingly popular choice for sportsmen and women. The osteopath's unique skills and detailed knowledge of the body mechanics are being sought by athletes from many disciplines at many levels.

In the past, sports injuries have been examined and treated as separate problems and considered in isolation from the rest of the body.

Treatment has been given to only the injured part. Osteopaths consider all the factors which may have led up to and contributed to the injury; these are often just as important as the injury itself and may slow or even prevent total and speedy repair.

When a sportsperson consults an osteopath, he or she examines the posture and condition of those parts which make the human body a dynamic machine - these include the muscles, ligaments and tendons of all the joints from head to toe.

The osteopath examines the strength and flexibility of these tissues and considers how well adapted they are to the individual sportsperson and the chosen sport.

Mobility of the body is of the utmost importance to an athlete. Poor flexibility in the joints will prevent the body performing at its best and is often an important contributory element to injury.

By using manual techniques, the osteopath provides the body with the best environment for repair, and enables it to function at its best.

The osteopath can also advise on specific exercise routines in order to speed up the rehabilitation process, and may work alongside a Yoga or Pilates instructor for a more tailored approach.

You may also be interested in:

• Yoga
• Pilates