The Olympics – a spectacular showcase of human endeavour, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. Every four years, we watch in awe as athletes from around the world push the limits of what the human body can achieve. However, behind the glittering medals and record-breaking performances lies a stark reality: the risk of injury. At Summertown Clinic, we understand these risks all too well and are here to help athletes, and active individuals alike, manage and recover from sports-related injuries.
Olympic Injuries: A Glimpse into the Past
Injuries are an unfortunate part of the sports world, even at the highest levels. Olympic history is filled with tales of athletes who have suffered and overcome injuries to achieve greatness.
For instance, in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Kerri Strug, the American gymnast, performed a vault on an injured ankle to secure a team gold medal. Her courage and determination are still celebrated, but it also highlights the severe risks gymnasts face. At Summertown Clinic, our team of osteopaths and chiropractors are well-versed in treating such high-impact injuries, using techniques tailored to speed up recovery and improve strength.
“I remember treating a gymnast who had to perform the next day in a competition but who had hurt her hip and felt unable to walk comfortably let alone perform. She came to the clinic with a friend I’d treated before (another gymnast) who suggested I would be able to help. Careful assessment led me to a diagnosis that helped me reassure her, and treat her. The key to quick recovery and return to sports is often in accurate diagnosis to enable optimal treatment. Without that component of the process, treatment has no purpose and intention. She managed to recover with my advice and treatment and perform the next day!”
Another notable example is Usain Bolt, the fastest man alive, who has faced hamstring injuries throughout his career. The strain on sprinters’ muscles is immense, and hamstring injuries are common. Our clinic offers specialised treatments, including deep tissue massage and targeted rehabilitation exercises, to help sprinters and runners recover swiftly and prevent recurrence.
“As a clinic that has so many highly qualified sports practitioners we see a lot of patients with hamstring injuries. Like all muscle injuries it’s important to understand the mechanics of why the muscle has failed as well as how. The Hamstrings can be torn in different ways with different associated prognoses and principles of treatment, for example a tear at the origin of the muscle (by the sitting bone) can involve the Musculo-tendinous junction and is often harder to treat than a mid belly muscle tear. The expertise we bring to our patients is what helps them improve quickly and by understanding the issue holistically in terms of the factors that have led to the injury, reduce the likelihood of reoccurrence”
Common Olympic Sports Injuries We Treat
- Sprains and Strains:
These are the most common injuries across all sports. Whether it’s a sprained ankle from a bad landing or a strained muscle from overuse, our clinic has comprehensive treatment plans. Our osteopaths, chiropactors, and massage therapists utilise manual manipulation techniques to alleviate pain and promote healing. Chronic injuries are also well looked after by our acupuncturists too.
- Stress Fractures:
Often seen in long-distance runners and gymnasts, stress fractures require careful management and rehabilitation. Our team is skilled in diagnosing and creating personalised recovery programs that include rest, nutritional advice, and progressive load-bearing activities. Both Andy Nicholettos, and Joel Redman have completed their Masters in Sports Medicine and have a wealth of experience treating sports injuries like these.
- Dislocations and Fractures:
Contact sports like rugby and judo often result in dislocations and fractures. At Summertown Clinic, we offer post-injury care that focuses on restoring mobility and function through osteopathy, chiropractic and strength training exercises.
“When I worked with Wharfdale Rugby Club as their pitch side osteopath, I gained experience of a fractured clavicle (collar bone), which I saw take place. From that moment to return to sport 6 weeks later I was able to educate the player in the rehabilitiation pathway or ladder that we used to get him back fit as fast as possible. These experiences and those of my colleagues help us offer our patients unique, patient-centred approaches to rehabilitation (as opposed to prescriptive approaches) knowing when the optimal time is to move patients onto the next step of care.”
- Tendonitis:
Athletes involved in repetitive motions, such as swimmers and tennis players, frequently suffer from tendonitis. Our experienced practitioners use a combination of manual therapy, acupuncture, dry needling, and guided exercises to reduce inflammation and promote tendon repair.
“Tendonopathies, like tendonitis are very common in sport. Often the difficulty can be in managing the patients’ expectations when it comes to return to sport/activity. Tendons take time, and often don’t like to be rushed. Through patient education and careful management we can guide players back to health from relative rest to gentle stretching, and loading exercises. “
The Summertown Clinic Difference
What sets Summertown Clinic apart is our holistic approach to treatment. We don’t just focus on the injury but consider the overall well-being of our patients. Our multidisciplinary team includes osteopaths, chiropractors, councellors, nutritional therapists, and sports massage therapists, ensuring that every aspect of recovery is covered.
“We have a great team of highly trained practitioners ready to help you get better. In some instances, we may consider cross referring you to another practitioner with a different skill set but will always talk through the options with you. Our mission statement reinforces our approach of listening to, caring for, and valuing all our patients, and this statement embodies how we successfully deliver over 13000 appointments a year. “
Injury Prevention: The Best Cure
Prevention is better than cure, and at Summertown Clinic, we believe in empowering our patients with knowledge and strategies to avoid injuries. We offer personalised training programs, lifestyle advice including work and sports adaptations, and nutritional advice to keep athletes at their peak performance while minimising injury risks.
“We have worked with several clubs in the past offering assistance to their players from Oxford United, to Summertown Stars Football Club, Kidlington Running Club, and Oxford Brookes Powerlifting team to name a few. If you’d like us to help your team or club we would be happy to discuss how we might help you and your team mates healthy.”
Join the Winning Team at Summertown Clinic
Whether you’re an Olympic hopeful, a weekend warrior, or someone who just wants to stay active and healthy, Summertown Clinic is here to support you. Our expert team is dedicated to providing top-notch care that helps you recover faster and stronger.
Your journey back to health and optimal performance starts by phoning us (01865) 558561, or booking online so we can help give you the benefit of our expertise. We are open every day from 8am -7pm during the week and Saturday morning, but you can book online anytime.
The path to athletic excellence is fraught with challenges, but with the right support, you can overcome any obstacle. Trust the experts at Summertown Clinic to be your partners in health and performance.
Together, let’s celebrate the spirit of the Olympics and the resilience of athletes everywhere.
*All quotations in Italics are from James Ruddick – Osteopath, Clinic Director at Summertown Stars.
