After having carried out an ultrasound test and knowing the extent of the injury suffered by an athlete, it is time to consider what type of treatment, what action plan and what techniques are the best for dealing with the injury and thus help the athlete to return to their activity as soon as possible in the best possible condition and without the risk of recurrence.
No two approaches are ever the same, as each person and each injury is different. For this reason, many variables must be carefully analysed in order to achieve therapeutic success. Some of the most important are: type of injury and phase, age, weight and build of the patient, type of physical activity, occupation, lifestyle and biopsychosocial sphere.
According to these variables, it will be possible to establish criteria and objectives to be followed during treatment and to choose the best techniques, the best exercises and the best advice for the athlete to apply in his or her daily life. The following are some of the techniques indicated according to the type of injury suffered by the sportsperson:
- Spinal injuries such as herniated discs, protrusions, dehydration of the disc, etc. The spinal traction technique has been found to be extremely effective in treating these types of spinal injuries.
- Vertebral dysfunctions. Chiropractic techniques, osteopathic techniques and manual therapy techniques are the best options for resolving these injuries.
- Muscle injuries such as fibre ruptures, trigger points or muscle spasms. Massage therapy techniques to reduce spasm, dry needling to eliminate trigger points, neuromodulation to normalise nerve function and reduce pain, and manual therapy to restore joint range.
- Ligament injuries such as sprains or tears. Laser to reduce inflammation and pain, shock waves to help the regeneration process and neuromodulation to normalise nerve function and reduce pain.
- Tendon injuries such as tendinopathies or tendon ruptures. Manual therapy to normalise joint movement, shock waves to help regenerate the area more quickly and loads to help the tendon.
Madrid Health has all of these techniques available to all patients. In addition to all the techniques mentioned above, each action plan must always be accompanied by a therapeutic exercise programme. The exercises will be selected according to the type of injury, the stage of the injury and the type of athlete being treated.