Rugby injuries can hurt but physiotherapy helps.

Rugby is a physical contact sport, it always has been. Yes if you play contact sports like rugby, you can pick up injuries which can hurt. Rugby injuries have changed over the years as the game has changed. At Physis physiotherapy our physiotherapists have worked closely with rugby teams on a national, professional and local basis. Two of our team currently work with premier division rugby clubs and work part time with the SRU.

Do we see more rugby injuries?

It is difficult to say as we only started collecting data in the early 1990’s but research does tells us we see more injuries occuring in the tackle. The modern game does not leave the ball under a pile of bodies for very long anymore. No more resting whilst someone finds the ball! The referee will keep the flow of the game moving because it is what the spectators want to see. But if the ball is more in open play then there will be more tackles. More tackles make more chance of certain injuries and often in different areas of the body.

Where do rugby injuries occur?

Commonly in the modern game knees and shoulder are injured. Thankfully although minor spinal and head injuries are common, serious injuries are still fairly rare. The modern game is looking at the number of concussions we see, and how they are managed is changing.

Why do we need to see a physiotherapist for the small injuries?

The best predictive factor for all significant sports injuries is a previous injury in the same area. Why? Most people ignore the problem, fail to get it diagnosed and fail to rehabilitate long or hard enough. If you see a physiotherapist early enough, get a diagnosis and plan a full rehabilitation then further problems can be reduced, if not completley avoided.

Do we need to see a rugby specialist physiotherapist?

Well it helps to see one, but the main thing is to see a specialist sports physiotherapist. One that will not just rest you till the pain goes away but plan your rehabilitation. Unfortunately most clubs at lower level use inexperienced physiotherapists or sports therapists (and yes some still use the dreaded sponge man!).This lack of experience can make for a poorer rehabilitation from injury and will cost you in the longer term. The physiotherapists at Physis are very experienced and work with sports massage therapists and podiatrists in our clinics. We also communicate and work with a number of rugby coaches, strength and conditioning coaches and orthopaedic consultants in the management of rugby players. If you are suffering from a Rugby injury contact us or book an appointment online  More reading on Sports Physiotherapy here