10 Benefits of Visiting a Physiotherapy Clinic

Do you often face the dilemma of not being able to decide whether or not to visit the clinic? Then, this blog is undoubtedly the perfect solution to decide that. As you know there is an increase in the number of new, advanced, and established personal physiotherapy clinics, hospitals, or rehab centers that provide treatment and care for patients with acute/chronic musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiothoracic conditions. One of the most promising opportunities to improve care and functionality is through physiotherapy clinics. In these clinics, physiotherapy can be given by a team of therapists who are well-equipped and possess the technical know-how about the process. Clinical care can be a great way to start your journey of managing your health, mobility and achieve overall wellbeing.  Given below are the bountiful benefits of visiting a physiotherapy clinic.

1: Equipment and floor space: Most of the large equipment used for physical therapy is available in the clinic. Clinical care is the best option if you require special equipment and intensive therapy such as water aerobics, static cycling, etc. With the exponential advancement in technology and medical science, there is a wide variety of tools required for treatment that are easily available in the clinic. In case the therapist modifies the program, he/she can replace the current equipment with the other one. The clinic is a well-designed and spacious place, to meet the needs of the patients, so if more space is required to carry on the treatment program, he/she can do it easily.  Also, the treatment program may need ramps, railings, and chairlifts, which are available in the clinic.

2: Close monitoring and modifying: Clinical care facilitates close monitoring of the patient's progress and provides full opportunities for monitoring or modifying the patient's program, which helps in attaining the best and desired results. Most importantly by availing physiotherapy treatment in the clinics, the patient and the physiotherapist keep a track of the treatment process which ensures that the patient is getting proper physiotherapy care.

3: Provides support and motivation to the patient: The clinical program helps the patient to attend clinic sessions or requires regular attendance in the sessions. The therapists can support and control the exercises and modify them according to the patients' needs. With limited distractions and continuous support from the therapist, the patient gets motivated to do his exercises properly.

4: Decreased stress levels: A clinic is a place where a person mostly feels comfortable.  Sometimes having an outside influence can cause patients to feel comfortable and make them feel confident about their independence. Also, the interaction with the other patients can decrease their stress levels.

5: Feedback: The patient receives care in the clinic in every scenario.  Rehab centers and clinics provide all the care necessary to improve the patient's strength and function over time.  Though the needs differ from patient to patient so the treatment that works for one patient may not work for the other. The patient receives continuous feedback about the exercise, posture, and the way he/she is performing the exercises.

6: Geriatric care: When it comes to physiotherapy care for geriatric age, a clinic is one of the best options for many individuals and families. Because when the patient visits the clinic, he can meet a variety of other patients with similar or other problems giving them mental and physical support which helps them to maintain good health, both physically and psychologically.

7: Faster Progress: Considerable evidence has been gathered showing that continuous monitoring in the clinic gives good results and boosts the progress of healing. Because patients can perform exercises in a stress-free environment with their peer group, physical therapy sessions can be more focused and intensive. This is one of the benefits of being treated in a clinic.

8: Patient safety: There are no specific risks to patient safety in clinical settings. It is free of infection and maintains hygiene and sanitation etc. In the clinic, standardized methods for health aides, personal care aides are maintained

9: Cost-effective: Clinical care can be cost-effective i.e it can cost less. You could end up saving money in the long run by paying for sessions that are much more efficient.

10: Insurance benefits: Clinical care is less expensive. The patient should work with the insurance provider, to provide reimbursement. Although it's well known that the insurance companies will easily cover your care.

Thus, it is quite evident that physiotherapy has a lot of advantages, especially when it is availed in clinics. It also helps in the treatment of several conditions and helps to boost the patient's recovery.

 

Common Hockey Injuries | Prevention and Treatment

Field hockey is one of the most popular sport, with an injury rate of 6.3% per 1000 athletes. The mechanism of injury can be intrinsic or extrinsic, the extrinsic injury may be caused by a stick or a ball and intrinsic injury may be caused due to overuse or internal force acting on the muscles that include, shin soreness, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and many more. Being a fast-paced collision sport with non-stop furious action, players in this game are at risk of injury at any moment. They can sustain injuries to the head, face, shoulder, arm, thigh, and knee and to prevent these injuries the players need to ensure that the muscles and the joints are properly warmed up. These warm-up exercises should be done under the guidance of a physiotherapist. In this blog, we will discuss the common injuries suffered by field hockey players and tips for their prevention.

Prevention of Hockey Injuries

To help prevent or reduce the risk of hockey injuries the player should follow a proper conditioning training program.

• Proper Warm-up exercises like stretching should be done to prepare the body for activity.
• Wear proper protective gear.
• Maintain proper nutrition and hydration to help perform better during training and to heal faster after injury.
• Cooldown and stretching exercises should be done after the game.
• Proper Exercise programs should be maintained to build endurance and balance thus preventing injury.

 Common injuries in hockey players

Concussion

• Concussion is a brain injury the can occur due to a sudden blow to the body and head by a stick or elbow or by bone crunching. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, nausea, balance issues, mood changes, etc. Immediate medical advice is required in case of concussion. If a concussion is suspected, the player should not return to play until the symptoms decrease. The physiotherapist recommends rest in the initial days both mental and physical rest.

 Bruises and Contusions

• Contusions or bruises occur due to the rupture of the small blood vessels. Resulting in the discoloration of the skin, it might appear black and blue, due to the leakage of the blood under the skin. The player feels pain with a swollen red bruised area if it is a large bruise then immediate rest is the best treatment.

Whiplash injury

• Whiplash injury can happen by an abrupt or unexpected backward or forward motion of the neck. Falling suddenly or getting hit causes the head to jerk and the neck gets strained. It occurs commonly in contact sports, like hockey causing pain, numbness in the arms due to minor or major soft tissue damage to muscles and ligaments in the neck and vertebrae. The recovery of the player depends upon the severity of the injury.

 Acromioclavicular joint injury

• The prevalence of shoulder injuries is high in hockey. The most commonly seen shoulder injury is Acromioclavicular (AC) joint injury, also known as a shoulder separation. This injury occurs due to direct contact hit into the shoulder. The severity can vary from a sprain to a complete tear of the involved ligaments. The physiotherapy treatment includes immobilization by rest in a sling followed by isometrics and gentle ROM exercises.

Rotator cuff injury

• The most common cause of a rotator cuff tear is repetitive microtrauma, which can occur over some time. Bruising or swelling occurs due to the repeated rotator cuff injury by pinching or straining, catching, or squeezing the rotator cuff tendons. Physiotherapist focuses on reducing inflammation and pain. The therapist recommends ROM exercises, isometric exercises, and capsular stretching, followed by isotonic exercises and aggressive pain-free strengthening.

 Groin strains

• Groin or medial thigh pain is the most common injury in hockey players. The player feels tenderness and swelling. The strain of the hip flexors and adductors occur as a result of quick movements and change in the direction while playing. Initially, RICE is given. Gradually ROM, stretching and strengthening exercises including, active ROM exercises of hip and isometric exercises, straight leg raises (SLR), quadriceps are recommended. Followed by aquatic deep water pool running, stationary bicycling with no resistance.

Hamstrings injury

• A hamstring injury occurs due to a lack of flexibility, strength, and muscle imbalance of hip flexors, quadriceps gluteals, and lower back muscles.  Muscle imbalance and fatigue between hamstring, quadriceps, and gluteal. The injury also occurs due to a lack of warm-up exercises so the muscles are making it vulnerable to injuries. Physiotherapy treatment is directed towards the restoration of strength and flexibility of the muscles. After RICE, Isometric exercises are initiated, further replaced by isotonic exercises with light weights. When the player is pain-free.  a high-speed, low-resistance isokinetic exercise program is initiated with pool walking and stationary bicycle with no resistance.

Meniscal injury

• Medial meniscal injury usually occurs due to sudden rotation on a fixed foot. Damage occurs when the foot is partially flexed with the foot on the ground and rotational forces are applied to the knee. Lateral meniscal injuries occur less frequently than medial meniscal injuries. Damage to the lateral meniscus occurs when the foot is fully flexed with the foot fixed on the ground and both rotational and compressive forces are applied. Physiotherapy treatment aims to reduce pain and inflammation, maintain joint ROM, further improve strength, proprioception, and balance, using techniques like walking, running, squatting, and hopping and minimize chances of re-injury.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

• The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the ligament in the front of the knee joint. Injuries to ACL occur most commonly in hockey, as there is a tremendous amount of side-to-side movement, cutting, pivoting movements, etc. An ACL sprain or tear occurs when an athlete turns while their foot stays on the ground. The physiotherapist recommends RICE and bracing. Followed by exercises for hyperextension- prone hang towel stretches, heel props, and wall slides.

 Shin splint

• Hockey players are often at risk of developing shin splints. This injury occurs due to the hard and unyielding nature of the artificial turf. Fascia, a connective tissue attaches along the edge of the tibia, when tension is put on muscles behind the leg, it causes inflammation or injury along this fascia. Repetitive bending and compression force may also cause bone stress. Physiotherapy aims to improve flexibility followed by isometrics exercises and progressed to Theraband practices and balance training.

Ankle strain

• Hockey puts a lot of stress on the ankles, causing ankle strain. This injury occurs when the ligament is stretched by rolling inward, causing a ligament tear. The damage can range from mild to severe. The patient feels immediate pain, swelling, and tenderness around the ankle. Physiotherapist instructs to take to RICE i.e. rest, ice, compress, and elevate. Followed by ROM, stretching, and strengthening exercises.

 Emotional stress can be caused due to pressure to win, sports are fun to play, and winning should not be considered as an important aspect of sports. Stress should be laid on being physically active and fit and above all feel good.

Sports Injury in Athletes

 

15 Most Common Sports Injuries in Athletes

Athletics is known to be the mother of all the games. An athlete is an all-rounder sportsperson, having immense control over his sense and body movements. The events involved are competitive walking, jumping, throwing, and running. These games not only build physical strength but also maintain the function of the heart, respiration, mental health, and body coordination. Some athletic sports involve high-intensity physical stress or thrills and hence are not always without risk. While playing, an athlete might move in the wrong ways, trip or fall, sudden contact with the ground or with other players resulting in various injuries. Other common injuries in athletics are caused by poor motor skills or poor technique, overtraining, and a lack of rest. Steps can be taken to reduce the risk of getting hurt thus preventing the occurrence of injuries. This can be done by building and maintaining muscular strength under the guidance of a physiotherapist. The therapist helps in early diagnosis followed by the treatment, resulting in quick recovery of the player to get him back in the game. In this blog, we will discuss the most common athletic injuries and the possible preventive measures that can be taken.

Sports injuries prevention

Injuries may occur due to insufficient warm-up and stretching, poor training practices, or lack of conditioning.

•  Cold muscles (muscles lacking warm-up exercises), when overstretched are more prone to injury and tears, as compared to warm muscles (muscles after warm-up exercises), which are more flexible. As they can absorb bends, quick movements, and jerks, making the athlete less prone to injury.
• During sport or activity, movement should be done properly. Different types of exercises require different positions and postures. For example, in some sports, bending your knees at the right time can help avoid an injury to your spine or hips
• Wear protective gear and proper shoes to prevent the risk of injury.
• Overexertion should be prevented, in cases of injury, start the activity again only after getting healed properly.
• Cooldown exercises like stretching exercises should be done after the sports.

Common injuries in athletes

Strains: Strains occur due to overstretching of muscles or tendons, which are commonly used by athletes therefore strains to occur often in athletes. All the body parts are susceptible to strains due to being overstretched while moving in ways they shouldn’t move, causing damage and tear. Common muscle strains include strained quads pulled hamstrings, and pulled groin muscles. Pre-session stretching exercises and warm-ups can help decrease strains.

Sprains: Sprains occur when ligaments are overstretched. Ligament pull or tear occurs when it is turned in the wrong way. Ankle sprains are the most common type of sprains among athletes, followed by knee sprains, wrist and elbow sprains, etc. Sprains can be painful, require immobilization to prevent further injury. Pre-workout stretches and warm-ups can help decrease sprains. Sprains often make the ligament weak and susceptible to re-injury, so it is good to support the joint with a brace while playing.

Fractures: Fractures, mostly of arms, legs, and feet occur due to high impact and contact sports, which can cause pain, it takes weeks of immobilization to heal and may sometimes require surgery to correct. The risk of fracture can be reduced by wearing the braces, appropriate warm-up, padding, working out to keep muscles strong and flexible, practicing good technique, etc., and also avoid playing when in pain and untreated, as it can make the bone vulnerable to fractures.

Concussion: Concussions are brain injuries that happen when there is a sudden hit to the head, not all concussions result in a loss of consciousness. The player feels nausea, headaches, difficulty in concentrating, loss of balance, dizziness, amnesia, and other symptoms. Most commonly those athletes are at a higher risk of getting concussions than those who participate in contact sports like football, wrestling, hockey, boxing, and soccer. Skiers and Gymnasts are also at a risk. The player should not continue to play sports if symptoms of a concussion exist. It takes about 2 weeks to 4 weeks for a concussion to heal, which is achieved by resting. The best way to reduce the risk of concussion is to wear protective headgear when playing contact sports like football or hockey or when biking or skateboarding etc.

Rotator cuff injury: Rotator cuff injury occurs in players doing the overhead movement or due to overuse or continuous shoulder movement in one direction. Players like swimmers, weightlifters, baseball, tennis basketball, and volleyball players commonly face shoulder injuries. Shoulder injuries should be treated with RICE. The physiotherapist can guide the player to prevent shoulder injuries by making him do strengthening and endurance exercises. The RICE method is a common treatment regimen for athlete injuries. It stands for:

• R- Rest
• I-Ice
• C-Compression
• E-Elevation

This treatment method is helpful for mild athlete injuries, it can help reduce pain, swelling, and bruising in the early days after athlete injury. 

Tennis elbow & Golfer's elbow: Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow occur due to overuse and repetitive activity, creating a tiny tear in the ligaments of the elbow. The player feels pain on the inside or outside of the elbow, but the outside injury is more common. In minor injuries, RICE is the best way to heal the condition. Forearm stretching strengthening exercises and elbow braces are the best way to prevent elbow injuries. To prevent the occurrence the player should take breaks in between the activity and always do warm-up and stretching exercises before playing. 

Groin Pull: Injury to the groin (inner thigh muscle) occurs in players moving in a side-to-side motion like soccer, hockey, and baseball, as they have high instances of groin pulls. The player feels pain and bruising on the inside of the thigh. It takes 1 to 2 weeks to heal, the physiotherapist recommends RICE as a treatment. Care should be taken not to return to normal activity too fast, this may cause significant problems. Groin pulls can be prevented by doing proper stretching exercises.

Hip Flexor Strain: An injury to the hip flexors occurs when these muscles are stretched too far and torn. It occurs due to having stiff or weak muscles, no proper warm-up, or a fall. This injury is commonly found in athletes like hockey, soccer, and martial arts players or those players who involve movement of suddenly changing the direction or sudden upward movements. The player feels pain, spasms, swelling, and bruising. A minor hip flexor injury can be healed at home with RICE. A physiotherapist may recommend hip-strengthening exercises. 

Hamstring strains: Hamstring strains occur in players who involve movements, such as sprinting, hurdling, and jumping. Commonly caused due to overtraining or overuse, poor technique or motor skills, and lack of rest. The physiotherapist can guide the player to prevent the hamstring strains by recommending warm-up, stretching, strengthening, and endurance exercise

ACL strain: The ACL or anterior cruciate ligament, strain occurs due to a high impact to the side of the knee or due to suddenly stopping and changing directions. Immediate treatment of RICE is beneficial. The physiotherapist recommends proper warm-up, stretches exercises, and good posture. Proper padding and bracing while playing contact sports can be used. 

Patellofemoral Syndrome: The patellofemoral syndrome occurs due to the repeated movement of the kneecap against the leg bone thus damaging the tissues of the kneecap. This type of injury occurs in cyclists, swimmers, runners, basketball, football, and volleyball players taking 6 weeks to heal. This injury can be reduced by wearing the proper shoes, softer running surfaces like indoor tracks have less effect on knees than concrete. The physiotherapist recommends RICE immediately to help speed up the healing process. To prevent the reoccurrence proper warmed-up exercises should be done before playing.

Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS): Medial tibial stress syndrome is known for shooting pain down the front of the leg. Leg muscles act as shock absorbers during high-intensity sport. Legs may not always be able to withstand the loading if the training becomes too intense or if the muscles become fatigued. In such cases, the player feels pain in the area where the muscles attach to the bone. Medial tibial stress syndrome is most often in runners or players who have increased their exercise intensity too quickly or who are not used to exercising. Can occur due to improper shoe type. Sometimes the syndrome can be a cause for a stress fracture in the bone. Minor injuries can be improved by RICE, wearing proper shoes, doing stretching exercises, massage, and taping may also reduce acute pain. The physiotherapist recommends taking a break in between the activities or training that causes pain.

Strained calf muscle: One of the common injuries in athletes is strained calf muscles Gastrocnemius and soleus are the two calf muscles, located on the back of the lower leg. These muscles are vulnerable to strains. The player has swelling, bruising, tenderness, or stabbing pain. The physiotherapist recommends RICE treatment which helps to reduce pain, swelling and prevent further damage. To avoid re-injury proper rehabilitation should be followed.

Achilles tendinopathy: The Achilles tendon can get strained while playing sports, this tendon can rupture or break. The player experiences sudden, severe pain and difficulty walking. The physiotherapist recommends RICE as the immediate treatment, followed by Eccentric exercises where the leg muscles are slowly lowered from a tip-toe position. Appropriate treatment and load management are taught that helps the player to return to their previous level of activity. 

Plantar fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis occurs due to over-activity combined with a lack of proper support. The player experiences sharp pain with every step, commonly found in runners, joggers, soccer and basketball players, etc. Proper stretching exercises and occasional rest are the two best preventions.

The recovery time of the muscle depends on the extent of the injury, severe injuries can take up to several months. There is a high risk of reoccurrence for those who do not follow a comprehensive rehabilitation program. Measuring the amount of pain can be important throughout the rehabilitation process therefore the help of an experienced physiotherapist is required.