Introduction
Physical therapy is responsible for promoting movement, minimizing the medical burden, and maximizing healthcare for society. Physical therapy and rehabilitation are crucial for sportspersons to limit injuries and pain and maintain consistency in their performance. Sports injuries are, therefore, better dealt with by specialized physiotherapists who help to treat or rehabilitate individuals and help them return to their sports within the shortest possible time. However, a strong patient-therapist relationship is necessary to achieve successful results.
What Are Sports Injuries?
Sports injuries refer to those injuries that commonly occur mainly in active individuals during sports or physical exercises and are not limited to athletes. Sports injuries can be acute or chronic. Acute injuries happen suddenly due to falls, blows, sprains, dislocations, twists in the joint, etc. Chronic injuries usually develop over time due to overuse of any area of the body. Some examples of common chronic injuries include stress fractures, shin splints, etc.
Minor sports injuries can be managed by resting, icing, compression, and elevation, known as RICE therapy, whereas major or serious injuries may require a consultation with a healthcare provider for treatment by physical therapy or surgery.
What Are Manual Physiotherapy Techniques?
Manual therapy is also called hands-on physical therapy. It is a type of specialized therapy that does not depend on machines but requires skilled hand movements to reduce pain and induce relaxation. Manual physiotherapy techniques are mainly of two types; soft tissue mobilization and joint mobilization.
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Soft tissue mobilization includes the application of gentle pressure to the soft tissues, such as muscles which improve blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and relax the muscles. This, in turn, reduces pain and improves function. Manual therapy also includes techniques such as friction massage, parallel mobilization, perpendicular mobilization, etc.
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Joint mobilization is a form of manual therapy which addresses pain and dysfunction of the joints. It is well suited to manage injuries of the joint or the skeletal system.
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Chiropractic therapy is a manual technique in which pain and movement issues, particularly in the neck, arm, back, and leg joints, are targeted, and the physiotherapist applies controlled force at certain points to decrease pain and restore mobility.
What Type of Injuries Can Be Managed by Manual Therapy?
Manual therapy can be effective for various injuries, such as;
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Sports injuries due to falls or a blow.
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Workplace injuries.
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Dislocations.
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Hip, knee, or ankle pain.
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Back injuries, lower back spasms, and pain.
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Neck and shoulder spasms or injuries, etc.
Are Manual Physiotherapy Techniques Effective in Treating Sports Injuries?
Before considering manual therapies, a doctor or a physiotherapist takes into account several factors, such as the patient’s condition, age, medical history, and outpatient care. The benefits of manual therapy in managing sports injuries include the following;
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Accelerates Healing: Ice therapy, sports massage, and other techniques used by physiotherapists help in muscle repair. Ice packs help reduce swelling and ease pain, while massage increases blood circulation and nutrient supply to the muscles and the other tissues. Rehabilitation exercises are also beneficial as it increases the endorphin levels in the brain, blocks the pain signals, and help to lower stress.
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Improves Flexibility: Certain sports, such as swimming, gymnastics, athletics, football, etc, require flexibility. Everyone may not have flexible muscles and joints, and hence even the slightest injury can disrupt muscle function. A physiotherapist may recommend some stretching or muscle-strengthening exercises to improve muscle flexibility and range of motion. Over time, gradually, it reduces the individual’s risk of injury and improves performance.
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Relieves Muscle Soreness: Muscle soreness can occur in individuals who are starting an exercise program or trying new workouts. It is also called delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). I can affect people of all ages and fitness levels. A sports massage or other massages recommended by a physiotherapist can be helpful in improving muscle function and speeding up recovery. After a few sessions of therapy, the individual will be able to participate in the activities or work out harder without facing any difficulties.
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Boosts Performance: Manual physiotherapy techniques can help improve movement patterns and correct muscle imbalances. It also boosts confidence, functional fitness, and motor control. These techniques improve the reaction time, strengthen the core muscles, and help to keep the joints flexible. As a result, the individual can perform better in the sport of choice.
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Prevents Injuries: Physiotherapists can develop a personalized workout plan to strengthen the weak areas, suggest appropriate exercises, and advise on how to exercise safely to stay fit and also prevent injuries. For instance, if an individual complains of lower back pain, a therapist can advise on the exercises to avoid along with performing certain manual physiotherapy techniques.
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Cost-Effective: Manual therapy is identified as cost-effective means of management as it reduces the medical burden on individuals and society especially when there is early access to a course of physical therapy. It also lowers the likelihood of receiving imaging tests, painful injections, and treatments.
What Are Some of the Limitations of Manual Physiotherapy?
Manual physical therapy is associated with certain risks, and healthcare providers must weigh the risk against potential benefits before suggesting or performing any treatment.
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An inadequate examination of the nature of the injury, its mechanism, improper techniques, and unreasonable expectations of the outcomes can be some of the pitfalls of manual therapy.
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Patient education is required prior to manual therapy, and the techniques must be honestly discussed, including the benefits and drawbacks. Some of the manual therapy concepts may be outdated or inconsistent in achieving expected results which can create unnecessary fears and anxiety.
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The perception that manual therapy is a low-value healthcare option can lead to negative feelings or emotions prior to competition which can hamper the performance capabilities.
Conclusion
The aim of manual physiotherapy is to restore stability in the muscles and joints and improve the range of motion and physical strength. A physiotherapist assesses the injury and develops a suitable treatment plan depending on the type of injury, which helps the individual in achieving impressive results. Through a consultation with a physiotherapist and an honest discussion about the expectations along with patient cooperation, manual therapy can be reasonably applied, and good results can be achieved.
