Sports Injuries

Every Body's Better treats all those involved in sports - at whatever level.

Beginner .. Weekend enthusiast .. Serious amateur .. Semi Professional .. Professional ?

No one doubts that sport benefits us in many ways - increased cardiovascular fitness; increased muscle strength; increased flexibility as well as the improved quality of life that may be gained through the social nature of many sporting activities and, importantly ...... for pure fun !

It is equally important to start out well on the road to active participation in the sport of your choice. Get help from the experts - personal trainers, therapists etc and follow their advice.

The amateur sports enthusiasts can sometimes make the mistake of starting full out with a new sport without thinking about the stress they may be putting on muscles that are weak or stiff, tendons and ligaments that are not yet flexible enough.

It is interesting to stand on the first tee of any 18 hole golf course and watch as the first shot goes totally off line - not unusual for us high handicappers [!] - but also not surprising if the golfer hasn't warmed up the muscles needed to swing a full out driver !

Then see how much time professionals spend on the practice ground before playing. What we don't see is the time also spent in the gym or getting a massage / muscle release treatment on a regular basis. They keep themselves as fit and supple as possible to enable them to perform well and to keep performing well for many years.

Another example is the new gym enthusiast - who wants to show that they can do everything in a circuit and push so very hard without warming up properly or cooling down afterwards.

Sounds familiar ?

This way leads to injury, pain and physical damage ! It also dampens enthusiasm and can lead to giving up before you can truly enjoy the sport you've chosen.

At Every Body's Better we do not pretend to be experts at physical training for sports - what can be offered is a treatment programme that addresses all the major muscle groups, tendons and ligaments. It is advised that you contact a professional trainer or physiotherapist for advice on exercise, stretching and muscle strengthening - Judith is happy to work alongside other sports professionals to give you the best chance to enjoy your sport.

Fitness and Prevention

As discussed above, Every Body's Better can carry out relaxing treatments that will release tense muscles and tendons, allowing the body to work at it's best level of efficiency.

A short course of sessions - maybe 3 or 4 depending on level of fitness is usually suggested. Consider follow up sessions once a month or so to keep the body balanced.

Acute Injury

Acute injury is one where the damage is instant i.e. strains, sprains, contusions, fractures resulting in pain, swelling, tenderness, weakness and the inability to use the injured area.

It is always important to seek medical advice immediately after such an injury.

Bowen & Emmett Techniques are gentle enough to use on painful areas but it is best to check with a doctor before starting any course of therapy.

Many acute injuries respond well to both Bowen & Emmett Techniques - as, if treatment can be started soon after the injury, the body has little time to develop a pattern of holding itself in an un-balanced posture to protect the injured area.

Each injury will be different but we will initially ask the client to consider having three sessions with a gap of a week apart, with a re-assessment of progress after that time.

There may be injuries that respond very quickly to a single session or some that will need more time to improve.

There may also be injuries that will benefit from 2 or 3 sessions of Emmett Technique with only a day or two between sessions.

Chronic Injury

Chronic injuries are those that occur over an extended period of time and are sometimes called overuse injuries. These can include back strain, tennis or golfer's elbow as well as knee, ankle and foot pain.

As with acute injuries, it is best to have a medical opinion before commencing any therapeutic treatments.

Chronic injuries may take more time to achieve improvement and more sessions may be required. Again it is normally suggested that a short series of weekly appointments and regular review of progress is undertaken. It may also be worth considering regular 'top-up' sessions to maintain the body in it's best state of health.