These injuries occur as a result of physical activities carried out either for general recreational purposes or with more professional goals in mind. They are commonly caused by overuse, direct impact, or the application of force that is greater than the particular body part can structurally withstand.

An injury that occurs as a result of a sudden event (ie a sprained ankle caused by twisting awkwardly) is known as an acute injury. In contrast, an injury that is caused by repetitive use of the same muscle group or joints is known as a chronic injury. Sporting injuries do not necessarily differ from injuries sustained in non-sporting activities.

Most sports injuries are minor and would not prevent the average athlete from continuing normal day-to-day activities. However, as a person becomes more seriously committed to sporting activities, continuing daily activities are no longer the prime consideration. The injury must be treated effectively so that the sporting activity can also be resumed at the earliest opportunity.

Those athletes who participate at championship level require not only correct diagnosis of their injuries but also early treatment with complete healing so that they can continue at high levels of performance with as short an absence as possible from their sporting activity. Even the more casual enthusiast, whose demands are not so great, may suffer both physically and psychologically as a result of minor injuries and may be prevented from pursuing the sport which usually contributes significantly to their quality of his/her life.

How can Myosteopractic help sports injuries?

Myosteo-practitioners are able to work “tricky“ musculo-skeletal injuries. Having been developed by martial artists, this ability has proven particularly useful when dealing with sports injuries. Often amateur and elite athletes alike are pushing their bodies to the limit of their physiological abilities; it is at this point that any small bio-mechanical imbalance can cause a mechanical breakdown.

The ability of the body to adapt and compensate for this imbalance will inevitably reach a limit. When the body is pushed beyond this limit, the compensation breaks down resulting in tissue damage often far away from the point of origin. The Myosteo-practitioner seeks to identify the original imbalance, helping the body to adapt and compensate for any bio-mechanical limitation and promoting tissue healing. This multi-facetted approach underlies its effectiveness.

More and more people are taking part in both recreational and competitive sports to improve their health and general well being. From time to time, sportsmen and women develop problems due either to a single traumatic incident or minor repetitive strain. There is no need to put up with ongoing pain as part of your activity. Myosteo-practitioners can often identify the underlying cause of the injury and deliver effective release, enabling a quick and safe return to the sport without risk of recurrence.

Because our history is rooted in extreme sport, we have experience in working with all forms of sporting injury: from those associated with occasional leisure orientated exercise (Running, Swimming, Football, Rugby, Tennis, Squash, Golf, etc) through to more specific problems associated with Triathletes, Climbers, Kickboxers, Mixed Martial Artists, Wind surfers, Skiers and Competitive Cyclists.

A good knowledge of biomechanics is necessary in order to understand the mechanism behind injuries, which is why Myosteo-practitioners are effective at helping these injuries. Indeed many Myosteo-practitioners specialise in this area, due to their extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, as well as the whole body approach to injuries. Careful and planned rehabilitation is essential after an injury to ensure the client has the best chance of a full recovery.

Poor fitness, technique and structural abnormalities can be the reason why many of the sporting injuries arise. Because we believe prevention is better than cure, we encourage you to see your Myosteo-practitioner during the sporting season, whether an injury has occurred or not. They will screen for physiological weaknesses that may lead to injury and suggest ways of working with trainers and coaches to alleviate the problem.

Specific injuries

Running, Athletics, Dance and Competitive Sports place a great demand on an athlete's feet, legs, spine and entire body. Many common conditions affecting dancers and runners include: tendonitis, bursitis, shin splints, ankle and Achilles tendon problems.

Sometimes incorrect equipment can lead to injury - poorly fitting footwear will often lead to hip, knee and foot injuries.

Young people are especially vulnerable in sport, as their growing bodies are often subjected to exceptional physical demands.

There are hundreds of specific sporting problems. Here is a list of the more common:

• Ankle Sprain
• Achilles Tendonitis
• Back Pain
• Groin Strain
• Hamstring Strain
• Knee Joint Injury
• Runner’s Knee
• Shin Splints
• Shoulder Injury
• Stress Fracture
• Cuts and Abrasions
• Dental damage
• Concussion

Myosteopractic has effectively helped sports people for conditions such as:

• Groin / Hip strain
• Knee Ligament & Cartilage injury
• Chondromalacia Patella (runner’s knee)
• Muscle / Tendon strains (such as hamstring and calf tears)
• Plantar fasciitis
• Sprained ankle ligaments
• Achilles tendonitis
• Rotator Cuff injuries / Shoulder strain
• Tennis / Golfers elbow
• Sacroiliac strain
• Shin Splints
• Sprains
• Pulled muscles
• Back and neck
• Plus many others

The good news is that although sports injuries are common, those who are fit tend to recover more quickly and easily from their injuries.

Running Injuries

There are specific aches and pains often associated with running, whether on track, road, treadmill or on softer ground. In addition there are particular injuries which result from running. The more common of these are listed below:

• Pes Planus: Also known as flat feet, this condition can be congenital or can develop over a period of time. The collapse of the longitudinal (medial) arch of the foot is the reason pes planus occurs. Running increases the force of weight through the foot, which can develop this condition. In runners pes planus leads to overuse injuries such as Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis.
   
• Achilles tendonitis: An overuse injury involving the Achilles tendon, (the tendon connecting the muscles of your calf in the back of your lower leg to your heel bone). The Achilles tendon becomes inflamed or irritated, often at the point of attachment of the tendon to the heel bone.
   
• Plantar fasciitis: Again, an overuse injury affecting the sole of the foot. The plantar fascia is a tough, fibrous band of tissue (fascia) connecting your heel bone to the base of your toes which helps to maintain the arch of the foot. When the plantar fascia becomes over stressed as a result of excessive running, tension builds up along the fascia, leading to pain and inflammation. This can more commonly be felt on the sole of the foot towards the heel.
   
• Shin splints: Although it is listed here, it is in fact a symptom which refers to tears in the tissues that hold the muscles on to your shin bone (tibia). It is usually seen in athletes who suddenly increase their duration or intensity of training, or first time runners who have been running excessively in the early stages. It is one of the most common running injuries.

Myosteopractic has helped shin splints effectively. In addition to this, regular Myosteopractic can increase a runner’s performance by increasing range of motion, improving muscle tone and by reducing the risk of injury.