Sports Injuries
Whether it is a hamstring that went in the second half, a shoulder that aches after every swim or a knee that complains on the hills, minor sports injuries are something we assess and treat every week.
- NHS Recognised
- No GP Referral Needed
- Free Parking
Minor sports injuries are among the conditions osteopaths commonly help with, and they are a particular focus at this clinic: Abdul Abu-Laban has over 19 years of experience and a reputation as a sports injury osteopath and an osteopath for post-injury recovery. The aim is always the same: find out exactly what is injured, treat it, and get you back to your sport with a lower chance of it happening again.
Which sports injuries do osteopaths help with?
Most sports injuries are sprains (a stretched or torn ligament), strains (a stretched or torn muscle or tendon), or overuse injuries where a tendon or joint has been loaded more than it can cope with. Typical examples we see:
- ankle sprains from running, football and hill walking
- hamstring, calf and groin strains
- runner's knee and other knee pain from training load
- Achilles and other tendon problems
- shoulder pain in swimmers, climbers and throwers
- lower back and hip pain in golfers, cyclists and rowers
- tennis elbow and golfer's elbow
What should I do in the first few days after a sprain or strain?
For the first two to three days the NHS recommends PRICE: protect the injury with a support or supportive shoes; rest it and avoid putting weight on it; ice it with an ice pack or frozen vegetables wrapped in a tea towel for up to 20 minutes every two to three hours; compress it with a bandage during the day; and elevate it on a pillow as much as possible. For the first couple of days avoid heat, alcohol and massage, which can increase swelling. Once you can move the injured area without the pain stopping you, start moving it gently so it does not stiffen. Most sprains and strains feel better after two weeks, though strenuous exercise such as running may need to wait up to eight weeks.
How can osteopathy help with a sports injury?
Abdul begins with a full assessment: what happened, what you can and cannot do, and an examination of the injured area and the joints above and below it, since the cause of a recurring injury often sits somewhere else. Treatment is matched to the stage of healing. Early on that means gentle techniques to manage pain and swelling and keep the surrounding joints moving; later, soft tissue work, mobilisation and a progressive exercise plan to restore strength, flexibility and control before you return to full training. Sports massage and rehabilitation can be used alongside osteopathy, and for some long-standing tendon problems shock wave therapy is available at the clinic.
NICE guidance for low back pain and sciatica, a common issue in sport, recommends manual therapy as part of a treatment package that includes exercise, and that principle runs through everything we do with injured athletes: hands-on treatment to help the tissue, exercise to make the recovery hold.
When should I get an injury checked first?
Call 999 or go to A&E if you heard a crack at the time of the injury, the injured part has changed shape, you have numbness or tingling, or the skin has changed colour. Call NHS 111 or see a GP for severe pain, significant swelling or bruising, if you cannot put weight on the injury, or if a sprain or strain is getting worse or not improving with self-care. If a sprain or strain is taking longer than usual to settle, that is the point to have it properly assessed and get a rehabilitation plan.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
- How soon after an injury should I come in?
- For a sprain or strain, follow the NHS first-aid advice for the first two to three days. If it is not clearly improving after that, or you want a proper assessment and a plan for getting back to sport, book in. Anything that might be a fracture, dislocation or a complete tear needs A&E or a GP first.
- What is the difference between osteopathy and sports massage for an injury?
- Osteopathy starts with a diagnosis: Abdul examines the injury and the joints around it, treats it with a range of hands-on techniques and plans your rehabilitation. Sports massage works on the muscles and soft tissues and is often used alongside, or once the injury has settled, to help you train. We offer both and will suggest which fits.
- Can you help me avoid getting injured again?
- Many sports injuries come from a weakness, stiffness or imbalance somewhere else in the chain. Finding and addressing that is part of the assessment, and a sensible return-to-sport plan is part of every treatment.
- Do you treat runners, golfers and gym injuries?
- Yes. Abdul has over 19 years of experience and a reputation as a sports injury osteopath, and the clinic sees runners, golfers, footballers, swimmers, climbers and gym-goers of every level.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or personal medical advice. If you are unsure about your symptoms, speak to your GP or NHS 111.
How we treat sports injuries
Osteopathy
Osteopathy treatments are a form of manual medicine that treats the muscular skeletal system including muscles, ligaments, nerves, joints and problems related to its function.
Learn more →
Sports Massage & Rehabilitation
Most sporting activities can contribute to muscle groups becoming repetitively overused which in turn can result in dysfunction developing within the soft tissue. Sports massage is beneficial to incorporate into any level of training regime.
Learn more →
Shock Wave Therapy
Shockwave Therapy [Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy] is a series of high-energy percussions to the affected area. The shockwave is a physical sound wave “shock”, not an electric one.
Learn more →Further reading
Is Osteopathy Good for Sports Injuries?
Is osteopathy good for sports injuries? Find out what it can help with, how recovery works and when to get urgent help, from Aberdeen Osteopathy Clinic.
Sporting Injury Recovery with Osteopathy Treatment
Osteopathy treatments can play a crucial role in aiding the recovery process from sporting injuries.
Don’t let treatable injuries spoil your season!
Don't let treatable injuries spoil your season - come and see us and we'll have you back on course in no time!
You’re in safe hands. But don’t just take our word for it.
Sue B ★★★★★Had treatment from Abdul and Ian who corrected the pain I had in my shoulder. Excellent practice.
Viktória K ★★★★★I highly recommend Maris to anyone in need of a physiotherapist. He went above and beyond to treat my heel inflammation, and I am incredibly grateful for his care. He is highly skilled . A true professional!
Haroon J ★★★★★I had golfer elbow pain for almost two years and I thought I had to live with it forever. Upon recommendation by a friend, I visited AOC and I could not believe that in just one session i would such a remarkable difference. The team is no less than magicians.
D ★★★★★Working in Aberdeen from London so away from my usual Osteopath. Was hoping to find a good one and this is the best I’ve ever had.
Gillian P ★★★★★I recently went to Iva for neck and back issues, after treatment on day 1 i already immediately felt amazing, i went back a week later where Iva continued to work on the problem area, 2 sessions and i feel absolutely amazing, Iva was nothing short of amazing, a lovely lady who knows her stuff and made me feel at ease. Couldn't recommend her enough. Thank you so much
Linda H ★★★★★I first visited Abdul a few years ago with numbness in my hand which I had for a long time. He quickly diagnosed the problem started from my neck and after a few sessions I was pain free. This has been maintained by regular visits. I recently had severe pain in my upper leg which Abdul managed to pinpoint and treat immediately although I had suffered on and off for months. I cannot recommend him highly enough and also the pre-treatment massages from his team. Always professional and accommodating while taking a holistic approach to treatment.
Andrew M ★★★★★I couldn’t give a better rating for Abdul and his team Traveling from Australia I hurt my back golfing. They fitted me in at very short notice and got me moving again
Jen M ★★★★★Wonderful service lovely people I cant recommend them enough I have had severe back pain for weeks I can actually move feel so much better
Ronald H ★★★★★Abdul and his team provide good treatment facilities and are very friendly and helpful.
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