Physiotherapy

We see plenty of strained or ruptured ligaments, and cartilage injuries during the ski season.  Often we are able to keep people skiing if the strain is very mild.  If you have a more severe injury then your recovery starts on day 1 following the injury.  Take professional advice on what to do and when, and you will be more likely to make a rapid and full recovery to full function.

But, its not just skiiers who suffer with their knees.  Over-use injuries are caused by over loading of tissues through either a rapid increases in training load or underlying biomechanical issues, often in runners.  Some examples include distal ITB syndrome and patella tendonitis.

Calf muscles can often be strained by being suddenly overstretched when taking a fall on skis, but the calf is also susceptable to being over loaded by unaccustomed hiking up hill or when learning to snowboard which can lead to severe DOMS a few days later.  Its important that treatment techniques are applied at the correct time following injury.  A deep massage too soon after a calf tear could cause more harm than good.

Fractured wrists are often very stiff when they come out of plaster.  We can help you recover your range of movement and strength as soon as possible.  

Dislocation and subluxation are unfortunately common problems amoungst snowboarders and downhill mountain bikers and caused by falling on to a shoulder or outstretched arm.  The glenohumeral joint needs to be rested initially and then loaded with exercises at the appriopriate time to regain its full function and minimise the chances re-occurance.

Back and neck problems are many and varied and can cause pain local to the area itself or refer pain in to the limbs.  Whiplash injuries are common in those who have been suddenly and unexpectantly flipped from a snowboard.  Torticolis often develops after sleeping in an awkward position or carrying a toddler round on your shoulders!  Pain around the shoulder blades is often related to a sustained bad posture which we often will see in clients who have made the long drive out to Morzine on holiday.  Neck and upper back pain is a common problem if you have been descending long cols on your road bike.  An accurate diagnosis and early advice and treatment could really save your holiday if you have back or neck pain so don’t just suffer, book in today.  

We see many patients during the year, both Summer and Winter, who have sustained clavicular fractures and ACJ strains of varying degrees.  These are usually caused by falling directly on to their shoulder or outstretched arm. Recovery varies greatly depending on the extent of the injury, but never fear, with all our experience, we will confidently guide you in the right direction.

Shin splints and tendoniits are a common problem amoungst runners.  We also see many skiiers and snowboarders who often have boot fitting issues or have spent too many hours riding in the excitment at the start of a winter season.  We see plenty of strained ankles and cases of achilles tendonitis too.  The key to all these injuries is to get early, accurate diagnosis to prevent niggles turning in to chronic conditions and ruining your holiday or your season.

Feet are amazing and often a slightly neglected area of our body.  We rely on our feet for balance and they are the final link in the chain of energy transference through our body when running.  If your connection and movement through your foot is incorrect, the reprocusions will either be felt here or further up the kinetic chain, perhaps in your knees, or back.

Traumatic injuries to the foot, which we often see, are fractures of the metatarsals caused by a twisting of the foot, or fractures of the calcaneus due to a very heavy landing on to the heel.