What Is Sports Therapy
Sports therapy is a practice which is specifically concerned with the prevention of injury and the rehabilitation of the patient/ athlete back to optimal (pre-injury) functional, occupational and sports specific fitness levels regardless of age and ability. A sports therapist will utilise the principles of exercise science, incorporating various techniques to help rehabilitate an individual who is injured.
What is a sports therapist?
A sports therapist has the knowledge, skills and ability to:
assess, treat, rehabilitate, and where appropriate refer on for specialist advice and interventions.
provide appropriate soft tissue interventions (sports massage, mobilisations etc)
plan and implement an appropriate exercise rehabilitation program and return to work/ sport programmes
utilise sport and exercise science principles to optimise performance, preparation, and injury prevention programmes.
Sports therapists are similar to biokineticists. Biokinetics is a profession in South Africa which does essentially what a sports therapist and athletic trainer does. Just in a different part of the world with a different name.
What is biokinetics?
This is defined as the “science of movement and the application of exercise in rehabilitative treatment and/or performance
The primary function of biokinetics is to improve physical conditioning and functionality as exercise as the modality
Biokinetics is the profession concerned with the health promotion, the maintenance of physical abilities and final phase rehabilitation, by means of scientifically - based physical activity programme prescription.
Areas of expertise
Chronic disease management - exercise programme prescription to combat chronic diseases and lifestyle related illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol and many others.
Sports performance - Implementing high performance testing, and conditioning specific to the physiological demands of your sport in order to maximise game and competitive performance.
Orthopaedic rehabilitation - assessment, treatment and exercise prescription for all joint, muscle, ligament and tendon injuries. Exercise prescription used to improve flexibility, balance, stability, strength, and functional capacity to reduce pain associated with injury.
Special Populations: Safe exercise program prescription for children, pre and post natal pregnant women, and the elderly population.
What techniques are used?
orthopaedic assessment of muscle flexibility and strength
use movement analysis software
postural assessments
deep tissue massage
trigger point therapy
Myofascial release techniques
mobilisations
instrument assisted soft tissue release (IAST) - Rock blades
kinesiology taping
Who is this for?
Anyone who has been experiencing pain or had an injury which is preventing them from doing the activities they would normally do. This could be anything from just walking, standing, sitting all the way through to recreational or professional sports activities.
About Lyndsey
Lyndsey is an experienced sports therapist, who gained her BSc(MED)(HONS) in Exercise science (Biokinetics) from the University of Cape Town. Her studies were based in the Sports Science Institute of South Africa which has the high performance centre used by the Stormers, Springboks, proteas and other National athletes. Since working in the UK, Lyndsey has continued her education gaining the highest level in Sports Massage, the Level 6 BTec in Sports massage. Through lockdown she consolidated her knowledge of sports injuries and movement, qualifying as a ‘Human Movement specialist’ from the Brookbush Institute. Using her knowledge of mechanical assessments, corrective exercises and accumulated hours of experience, Lyndsey ensures that all of her clients enjoy the very best results.
Based in Fleet, Hampshire, Fleet Sports Therapy is a team of highly trained clinical therapists, biokineticists and injury rehabilitation experts available for treatment of sports injuries, chronic pain and any general aches, pains and niggles. Our sports therapy services are available in Fleet, Farnborough, Aldershot, Hampshire, Basingstoke, Hook, Farnham, Hartley and Whitney