(And How Physiotherapy Treats Them)
If you’re an athlete or just someone who loves staying active, you’ll know that sport isn’t all glory and goal scoring moments – sometimes it’s tight hamstrings, rolled ankles, and shoulders that suddenly feel like they’ve retired early. The good news? Many of the most common sports injuries respond well to early assessment and structured rehabilitation with our physiotherapists. So give us a call on 02 9816 5092. In the meantime, let’s learn more about the most common injuries and what we can do about them.
Below are three injuries we see most frequently in the clinic, and how physiotherapy works to manage them safely and effectively.
Hamstring strains often strike during sprinting, football, netball, and any activity that demands sudden acceleration. A strain simply means the muscle fibres have overstretched or torn to some degree, usually at high speed or when fatigue sets in.
Typical symptoms include a sharp pain at the back of the thigh, difficulty fully straightening the leg, and reduced stride power.
How physiotherapy helps:
We’ll start by assessing the severity of the strain, identifying whether the issue lies in the muscle belly, tendon, or the junction between the two. Early management may involve offloading, gentle range of movement work, and techniques to support tissue healing. As symptoms settle, rehabilitation focuses on progressive loading, eccentric strengthening, and restoring sprint mechanics. This structured approach aims to reduce the risk of re-injury – which is high when hamstring strains aren’t fully rehabilitated.
Ankle sprains, especially those involving the lateral ligaments, are one of the most common reasons active people find themselves temporarily sidelined. They typically occur after landing awkwardly, stepping on an uneven surface, or changing direction quickly.
Typical symptoms include swelling, bruising, ankle instability, and pain when weight-bearing.
How physiotherapy helps:
Our physiotherapists assess which ligaments are affected and whether the sprain is mild, moderate, or more severe. Early treatment may include swelling management, taping or bracing, and gentle mobility work. As recovery progresses, rehab shifts towards strengthening the peroneal muscles, improving balance and proprioception, and rebuilding confidence in the ankle. Targeted stability training is crucial – lingering instability is what leads many people to repeat sprains, which physiotherapy aims to help prevent.
Shoulder problems are common in swimmers, tennis players, weight-lifters, and overhead athletes. These may involve the rotator cuff, the biceps tendon, or the structures that help stabilise the shoulder blade (scapula).
Typical symptoms include pain with lifting or reaching overhead, weakness, and reduced range of motion.
How physiotherapy helps:
Our team will assess which structures are irritated or overloaded and look closely at biomechanics – particularly how the shoulder blade moves during sport-specific tasks. Treatment may include manual therapy, strengthening the rotator cuff, improving scapular control, and adjusting training loads to allow irritated tissues to settle. Restoring coordinated movement between the shoulder blade and arm is often the key to reducing symptoms and supporting long-term performance.
If you’re experiencing pain that limits movement, keeps returning, or isn’t improving over a few days, our physiotherapists can assess the injury, explain what’s going on, and guide a personalised rehabilitation plan. Early management not only supports recovery but also reduces the risk of long-term weakness or recurrence.
Want to keep moving confidently? Our physio team is here to help. Call 02 9816 5092 to make an appointment. And while we’ve got you, why not follow us on social media for more fascinating physio facts?
Information provided here (including text, graphics, images, outbound links, and other material) is for informational purposes only. It is general in nature and is not to be used or considered as a substitute for personalised professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified allied health provider regarding any symptoms, medical conditions, or treatments and before undertaking any new health care regimen.
