SERVICES
Sprains and strains
Not just sports people get sprains and strains!
A sprain is basically an over stretch or tear of a joint or ligament. A strain is similar for a muscle. Often it is a bit of both, hence hearing the term “soft tissue injury”.
Early treatment may be the time-tested RICE regime (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) and as physios we are expert in early and protected mobilisation.
You cannot make the body heal faster than it can heal (professional sports spend millions per year trying to do this, but a hamstring injury still costs roughly 2 games out just as it did 25 years ago!) so what is treatment for? Good treatment for soft tissue injuries protects healing tissue and promotes stronger healing, so less chance of recurrence. It also help remove impediments to healing that is making sure the player with an injured hamstring misses only 2-3 weeks for a mid-range strain rather than sitting out for 6 weeks. It means getting on with life faster; walking better, driving better, getting back to work earlier and safer.
