How to Manage Injuries

(Alex Galea, Physiotherapist, Practice Principal Physiotherapy Centre Bendigo)

Evidence is clear that exercise and an active lifestyle play a crucial role in both physical and mental health and well-being.  Unfortunately, exercise and physical activity of any sort, can potentially lead to injuries and are often a reason for people reducing or stopping their exercise attempts altogether.  This certainly does not have to be the case!  Exercise can be modified in so many ways allowing us to remain active, without aggravating injuries and actually helping to rehab them.  Doing this effectively and safely however, does require a proper understanding your injury.  An assessment from a professional and qualified physiotherapist can diagnose an injury or condition, will help establish exercise and activity related goals and develop a suitable plan for achieving these goals.  

All injuries are different and so require different management.  How acute or chronic an injury is, other related health conditions, the structures injured (muscles, ligaments, tendons etc) and many other factors will all determine how an injury is managed.  For example some injuries such as chronic tendon problems may respond best to the right amount of ongoing activity and strengthening, while other injuries such as an acute ankle sprain may require initial rest followed by a build-up in activity. Treatment techniques administered by physiotherapists such as dry needling, cupping, joint mobilization and massage, may be beneficial and are often included in injury management however suitable exercise prescription and education around what will or won’t help any injury is critical.  The most important thing is remaining active in an appropriate and effective way so we can maintain physical and mental health and avoid long term injury.

For further information on Physiotherapy Centre Bendigo you can visit: 

https://physiotherapycentrebendigo.com.au/