Sporting Injuries

Osteopathic Approach to Assessing Sporting Injuries

Osteopaths take a thorough, holistic approach to assessing sporting injuries. Unlike some other healthcare providers who may focus solely on the injured area, osteopaths evaluate the entire body to understand how different regions may be contributing to or compensating for the injury. The goal is to identify the root cause of the problem, not just the symptoms.

Comprehensive Assessment Process

1. Detailed Case History The first step in an osteopathic assessment is gathering a comprehensive case history. This includes:

   • The mechanism of injury (how the injury occurred).

   • The patient’s sporting background, training load, and performance goals.

   • Previous injuries or medical conditions that may affect healing.

   • Lifestyle factors, such as sleep, nutrition, and stress, which can impact recovery.

2. Physical Examination A hands-on physical examination is then conducted to assess the injured area and the body as a whole. This involves:

   • Posture and gait analysis: Identifying any imbalances or movement patterns that may contribute to the injury or affect recovery.

   • Range of motion testing: Measuring the flexibility and mobility of joints and soft tissues to assess restrictions.

   • Palpation: Using the hands to feel for areas of tension, swelling, or tenderness in the muscles, tendons, and joints.

   • Orthopaedic and functional tests: Orthopaedic tests are performed to assess the integrity of the injured structures, such as ligament stability tests for joint injuries or strength tests for muscle strains.

3. Biomechanical Assessment Osteopaths often perform a biomechanical assessment to evaluate how the body moves during sport-specific actions, such as running, jumping, or throwing. This helps identify any movements that may have contributed to the injury, allowing for more targeted treatment and injury prevention strategies.

4. Diagnosis and Treatment Plan After completing the assessment, the osteopath will provide a diagnosis and discuss a tailored management plan. The goal is not only to manage the injury but also to address any contributing factors, such as technique, musculotendinous influences, or biomechanical inefficiencies.

Evidence-Based Osteopathic Treatment for Sporting Injuries

Once the assessment is complete, osteopaths utilize a range of evidence-based treatment modalities to manage sporting injuries. Osteopathic treatments aim to reduce pain, restore function, and enhance the body’s natural ability to heal. Treatments may include:

1. Manual Therapy

Manual therapy forms the foundation of osteopathic treatment and involves a variety of hands-on techniques to promote healing, improve mobility, and relieve pain.

• Soft tissue therapy: Techniques such as massage and myofascial approaches are used to reduce muscle tension, impact circulation, and reduce symptoms of pain and stiffness, which are beneficial in managing strains, sprains, and tendinopathies.

• Joint mobilisation and manipulation: Gentle mobilisation techniques improve joint movement, which can help relieve pain and improve function in areas like the spine, shoulder, or knee. In certain cases, high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) techniques may be used to restore ideal joint mechanics.

• Muscle energy techniques (MET): This technique involves the patient contracting a muscle against resistance, followed by stretching, to improve function and reduce pain.

2. Rehabilitation and Exercise Prescription

Exercise is a key component of injury recovery and prevention. Osteopaths prescribe exercises that are tailored to the individual’s injury, sport, and recovery goals.

• Strengthening exercises: Targeted exercises are used to strengthen muscles, particularly those that support injured areas or are prone to overuse.

• Flexibility and mobility exercises: Stretching and mobility work help to restore range of motion in stiff or restricted joints, which is essential for full recovery and injury prevention.

• Neuromuscular retraining: This involves exercises that improve coordination and movement patterns, helping athletes return to their sport with better biomechanics and ideally reduced risk of re-injury.

3. Taping and Strapping

Kinesiology taping or rigid taping may be used to support injured areas during recovery, providing stability and reducing the strain on affected areas. This can be particularly useful in preventing further injury and pain during rehabilitation or when returning to sport.

4. Education and Injury Prevention

A key aspect of osteopathic care is patient education. Osteopaths provide practical advice on how to modify training and activities to prevent further injury. They may also give tips on proper warm-up routines, stretching techniques, and sport-specific ergonomics to optimize performance and minimise injury risk.

• Technique advice: Addressing postures during the technique, and movement patterns that may contribute to injury.

• Load management: Educating athletes on managing training loads to prevent overtraining and overuse injuries.

5. Recovery Modalities

Osteopaths often incorporate additional modalities to facilitate recovery and reduce pain, such as:

• Dry needling: Using fine needles to target painful areas in muscles, helping to release tension and reduce pain.

• Hydrotherapy or contrast therapy: The use of hot and cold therapy to manage inflammation and improve recovery, especially for acute injuries.