Sports Injuries

Injuries are never part of the plan, but they’re something most active people encounter at some point. Whether it’s a pulled hamstring halfway through a run, shoulder pain after a weekend tennis match, or a nagging “niggle” that keeps showing up every time you squat, what happens next makes all the difference.

At VIP Osteopathy, we work with athletes and everyday movers alike to not only manage pain but understand why injuries happen and how to come back better prepared.

Common Sports Injuries That We See

While each individual presents differently, here are some conditions we frequently treat:

• Sprains and strains: Ligament or muscle damage often from sudden overload or poor preparation

• Tendinopathies: Repetitive strain to tendon tissue (Achilles, patellar, gluteal, rotator cuff, elbow)

• Overuse syndromes: Shin splints, ITB syndrome, plantar fasciitis—typically from training errors or inadequate recovery

• Low back and pelvic issues: Often tied to load distribution, core control, or mobility deficits

• Shoulder dysfunction or impingement: Particularly common in swimmers, lifters, and overhead athletes

• Recurring niggles: Subtle discomfort that flares under fatigue or intensity which can often be a signal of compensation elsewhere

Understanding the load demands of your sport and how your body uniquely absorbs and distributes that load is key to tailored and goal specific care.

What’s Behind These Injuries?

Injuries rarely occur in isolation. They’re usually the result of underlying imbalances or systemic stress. Factors we commonly assess include:

• Training load spikes: Sudden increases in distance, intensity, or frequency

• Biomechanical restrictions: Limited joint range or poor muscle activation can redistribute load inefficiently

• Fatigue and recovery: Insufficient rest or sleep reduces tissue resilience and neural control

• Movement habits: Even daily patterns (like gait asymmetry or poor lifting technique) influence injury risk

• Nervous system tone: High stress can amplify muscle tension, reduce variability, and affect coordination

• Previous injury: Unresolved compensation patterns can persist long after pain subsides

We don’t just look at what happened, but we explore why it happened in the context of your unique demands, history, and goals.

Osteopathy’s Role in Injury Management

Osteopathy offers a comprehensive, approach to both acute and chronic sports injuries. At VIP Osteopathy, we tailor each plan with these key pillars:

• Relieve: Reduce pain, swelling, and muscle tension using manual therapy

• Restore: Improve joint mobility and neuromuscular control through gentle mobilisations and functional movement

• Rebuild: Create an individualised rehab plan targeting strength, mobility, and sport-specific tasks

• Reassure: Provide clear guidance on what’s safe, what’s normal during healing, and how to pace your return

• Reframe: Shift the focus from restriction to resilience—helping you understand your body better than before

Whether you’re managing an acute sprain or retraining after years of recurrent overload, our goal is to help you move with trust in your body again.

Recovery Is Not Linear—And That’s Okay

Healing takes time, but not passive time. One of the biggest myths we encounter is that rest alone is the answer. In reality:

• Movement is medicine—when done appropriately and not over training

• Pain is information, not necessarily a stop sign

• Strength, mobility, and proprioception must be retrained, not just “rested”

• Confidence and mindset play a huge role, especially in return-to-sport phases

We work with our patients to reintroduce movement gradually and intentionally, using objective markers (not guesswork) to guide rehab progress.

You don’t need to wait until the pain is unbearable—or completely gone—to benefit from support. Consider booking an osteopathic assessment if:

• Your symptoms persist beyond a few days or keep returning under load

• You feel hesitant or compensating in movement

• You’re unsure if you’ve returned to sport too soon

• There’s tightness, instability, or reduced performance despite rest

• You want a plan, not a patch-up

Recovery from injury isn’t just about symptom relief, it’s a chance to retrain, restore confidence, and optimise the way your body moves. With the right guidance, you can return to activity feeling stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for the demands ahead.

At VIP Osteopathy, we meet you where you’re at and work with you to get where you want to be.