Sports therapy is used to prevent and treat sports injuries. It may also help those looking to improve their level of fitness and performance. Many techniques are used, including deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, muscle energy techniques, taping and strapping, and mechanical and electrical treatments.
Treatment can take place on a massage table, on the sports field or sports court. Your sports therapist will examine how you are moving, conduct a postural and gait analysis, assess your movement and palpate muscles. They will then devise the best range of techniques for your particular sport and/or injury.
Sports therapy may prevent injury, relieve pain, increase flexibility and encourage a general sense of health and well-being.
Sports therapy should not be used in place of conventional medical care. Always consult a GP or other health professional for medical attention and advice.
Choosing a therapist
It is important to choose a qualified sports therapist who has undertaken the necessary training to understand the theory and practice of this technique.
In order for a qualification to be accepted for FHT membership and to the FHT Complementary Healthcare Therapist Register, it must meet the following criteria:
Skills for Health National Occupational Standards:
- CNH1 Explore and establish the client’s needs for complementary and natural healthcare
- CNH2 Develop and agree plans for complementary and natural healthcare with clients
- SKAA334 – Apply accepted standards and continuously develop own practice
- SKAD520 – Plan, apply and evaluate massage methods – prerequisite
- SKAD521– Plan, apply and evaluate massage methods to prevent and manage injury – pre requisite.
- SKAD522 – Plan, apply and evaluate complex massage/soft tissue methods – pre requisite.
- SFHD523 - Apply taping and strapping for general support in a sport and activity context.
- SFHD524 - Apply taping and strapping following injury to limit specific movement in a sport and activity context.
- SFHD525 - Apply taping and strapping to influence movement patterns and proprioception in a sport/activity context
- SFHD526 - Apply magnetic therapies to clients in a sport and activity context
- SFHD527 - Apply basic cold techniques to clients in a sport and activity context.
- SFHD528 - Apply hot and cold techniques to clients in a sport and activity context
- SFHD529 – Apply advanced hot and cold techniques to clients in a sport and activity context
- SFHD530 – Apply electrical stimulation techniques to clients in a sport and activity context
- SFHD531 – Apply repair stimulator techniques to clients in a sport and activity context.
- SFHD532 – Apply advanced repair stimulator techniques to clients in a sport and activity context.
All qualifications related to the FHT’s Register modalities must be reviewed by the FHT Education Panel. The qualification is reviewed by an expert in that particular therapy prior to the registrant being accepted to the FHT Complementary Healthcare Therapist Register.
Practical led and observed training. This will ensure the course is mapped to the above standards.
By choosing a sports therapist who is an FHT member, you can be confident that they are professionally trained, qualified and insured. They will also be listed on our Complementary Healthcare Therapist Register, as Sports Therapy is considered a form of complementary healthcare.