Condition
Sports Injuries
Sports injuries can be frustrating — especially when they stop you doing what you love. Whether it’s a pulled muscle, a sore knee, a stiff shoulder or something more complex, it’s tempting to push through or rest completely, but neither option gets to the root of the problem. At Back to Fitness Physio, we understand sport — not just clinically, but personally. Between us, we’ve rehabbed rugby players, runners, dancers, climbers, CrossFitters, swimmers, and Hyrox athletes, and we know what it takes to get you back stronger. We’ll assess the injury, identify what caused it, and build a plan that doesn’t just treat the pain — it gets you moving, training, and performing again with confidence.
What are Sports Injuries?
Sports injuries can range from sudden trauma — like sprains, muscle tears or joint dislocations — to more gradual issues such as tendon pain, stress fractures or overuse injuries. They don’t just happen to elite athletes. Anyone who exercises regularly, plays sport at the weekend, or trains in the gym can pick up a niggle that starts to interfere with performance, progress, or even daily life.
Common injuries include runner’s knee, Achilles tendinopathy, rotator cuff tears, hamstring strains, and ligament sprains, but the underlying cause is often more complex. It might be linked to poor movement patterns, fatigue, load errors, or a previous injury that never quite healed properly.
At Back to Fitness Physio, we treat all types of sports injuries — from recreational niggles to performance-limiting pain. We understand the mindset of active people because we’re active ourselves. Our team includes physios with backgrounds in rugby, running, swimming, climbing, CrossFit, dance and Hyrox, so we genuinely get it. We’ll help you understand what’s going on, guide you through the right rehab plan, and get you back to sport — stronger, smarter, and more resilient.
What are the Most Common Sports Injuries We See?
We see a lot of knee injuries — things like ligament sprains, patellofemoral pain, and tendinopathies from running, jumping or heavy gym training. Shoulders are another big one, especially in swimmers, lifters and racket sport players. It’s often rotator cuff issues, impingement, or instability that’s been brewing for a while and finally flares up.
Back pain is common too — sometimes from lifting, sometimes from poor movement patterns or just overtraining without enough recovery. And of course, ankle sprains or Achilles pain are frequent in runners, team sports and trail athletes.
Symptoms range from sharp, acute pain to a lingering ache or stiffness that just won’t go away. Often people say they’re fine “once I’ve warmed up” — but they know something isn’t right. Whether your goal is to run pain-free, get back in the gym or just feel more confident in your body, we’re here to help figure it out and build a solid path forward.
How we can Help With Sports Injuries
When you’re injured, you don’t just need rest — you need the right diagnosis and a plan that gets you back doing what you love. At Back to Fitness Physio, we specialise in helping active people recover properly and perform better. Whether it’s a new injury or something that’s been niggling for months, we’ll assess how you move, identify the root cause, and build a clear rehab programme that fits your sport, your goals, and your lifestyle.
We combine hands-on treatment, progressive rehab, and where needed, K-Laser or shockwave therapy to support healing and pain relief. You’ll start with clinic-based rehab, but many patients go on to our strength-based classes like Back to Activity, StrongHER Together, or Strength, or work 1:1 with us in the Rehab Barn gym or on the Reformer.
Between us, we’ve got experience in rugby, running, swimming, dance, climbing, CrossFit and Hyrox — so we really do get it. We’ll support you through the setbacks, guide your return to sport safely, and help you build resilience to avoid re-injury in the future.
Benefits of Sports Injury Treatment
There’s nothing more frustrating than being told to “just rest” when you’ve got a goal, a race, or a team depending on you. Proper treatment helps you recover faster, move better, and return to sport safely — not just pain-free, but stronger and more resilient than before.
With a tailored rehab plan, you’ll rebuild strength, control, and mobility, reduce the risk of reinjury, and stop that nagging pain from holding you back. Whether you’ve pulled a muscle, tweaked a joint, or just don’t feel like you’re moving right, we’ll work with you step by step to improve confidence and performance.
Our goal isn’t just short-term pain relief — it’s long-term results. We want you back on the pitch, in the gym, on the trails or in the pool doing what you love — and doing it well. With expert physio support, progressive rehab, and the right guidance, you’ll get there.
FAQs
Sports Injuries FAQs
How to heal sports injuries faster?
The key is early, accurate diagnosis and a clear rehab plan — not just rest. Active recovery, hands-on treatment, and targeted rehab will support healing and get you back quicker than doing nothing and hoping for the best.
How to recover from a sports injury?
Recovery isn’t just about getting rid of pain — it’s about restoring strength, control, and confidence in how your body moves. We’ll guide you through each stage, from settling symptoms to building resilience so you can return to your sport safely and perform at your best.
How to avoid sports injuries?
Make sure your training load is sensible, your movement patterns are solid, and you’re giving your body enough time to recover. Strength and conditioning, mobility work, and addressing any old weaknesses can all help prevent future problems.
How can age cause injury in sport?
As we get older, tissues become less elastic and recovery can take longer — but that doesn’t mean you can’t train hard or compete. You might just need a bit more structure, prep, and recovery built into your plan. That’s something we can help with.
How does a physio help with sports injuries?
We get to the root of the issue, not just the symptoms. That means a full assessment, hands-on treatment where needed, and a progressive rehab plan that restores function, improves strength, and helps prevent re-injury — tailored to your sport and goals.
When can I play again?
That depends on the injury, your sport, and how you respond to rehab. Our job is to help you return safely and confidently — without rushing back too soon or risking a setback. We’ll be honest about timeframes and guide you through each phase of return-to-play.
Should I train through pain?
Occasional stiffness or DOMS is normal, but persistent pain — especially sharp, limiting, or one-sided pain — needs checking. Training through a proper injury can delay healing and lead to compensation elsewhere, so it’s always best to get it assessed.
