Getting you back to sport
Sports injuries are satisfying to treat because, with the right approach, most people make a full recovery and get back to what they love. The key is getting an accurate diagnosis early — treating a tendon injury like a muscle strain, for example, can set recovery back significantly.
At Momentum, the first thing I do is work out exactly what we're dealing with. Not just what structure is injured, but what caused it — training load, technique, biomechanics, muscle imbalance. That tells us what treatment approach makes sense and what needs to change to reduce the chance of it happening again.
By combining chiropractic care, laser therapy and clinical Pilates, I can address the immediate pain and inflammation, support the structural repair of the injured tissue, correct any biomechanical contributors, and build the strength and stability that protects against recurrence — all in the one place.
Sports injuries we treat
Muscle Strains & Tears
Muscle strains range from mild overstretching to complete tears. Accurate grading matters — and so does identifying the contributing factors. Technique, training load, muscle imbalance, biomechanical patterns — these are often what allowed the injury to happen, and what will cause a recurrence if left unaddressed. Treatment combines soft tissue therapy, laser therapy to support tissue healing, and progressive rehabilitation.
Ligament Sprains
Ligament sprains are classified by severity from grade I (mild stretching) to grade III (complete rupture). Getting the timing of rehabilitation right is critical — too early risks re-injury; too late allows deconditioning and delays return to sport. Management includes laser therapy, joint mobilisation, taping and bracing guidance, and progressive exercise tailored to the specific injury and athlete.
Tendinopathy
Tendinopathy is a degenerative condition of the tendon most commonly caused by repetitive loading beyond the tendon's current capacity. Common presentations include Achilles tendinopathy, patellar tendinopathy, lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and rotator cuff tendinopathy.
Laser therapy can be a useful part of tendinopathy management, and is combined with evidence-based loading protocols — eccentric and isometric exercise — and addressing any biomechanical factors contributing to the tendon overload.
Overuse Injuries
Overuse injuries arise from repetitive stress on a structure that exceeds its capacity to recover. They include stress fractures, compartment syndrome, iliotibial band syndrome and many forms of tendinopathy. Without identifying and correcting the biomechanical contributors — movement patterns, training load, foot mechanics — overuse injuries tend to recur.
Spinal Sports Injuries
Contact sports, impact sports and high-load activities regularly produce spinal injuries — from acute disc injuries and facet joint sprains to muscle strains and spondylolysis in young athletes. These require careful diagnosis, appropriate management during the acute phase, and a structured return-to-sport protocol that ensures the spine is fully rehabilitated before full activity is resumed.
Rehabilitation & Return to Sport
The final phase of sports injury management is often the most important — and the most commonly shortcut. Returning to sport before full rehabilitation is complete is the primary cause of re-injury. I develop sport-specific rehabilitation programmes that progressively rebuild strength, stability, neuromuscular control and confidence, so that when you return to training and competition, you can do so with a lower risk of re-injury. For complex presentations, I co-manage with sports medicine physicians, orthopaedic surgeons and physiotherapists.
Why integrated care can help you return sooner
The three modalities at Momentum work together in a way that can produce better outcomes for sports injuries than any single approach:
Chiropractic
Addresses the mechanical components — joint dysfunction, movement restrictions, biomechanical contributors and spinal stability. Gets the musculoskeletal system working properly again.
Laser Therapy
Reduces inflammation, supports tissue repair and manages pain without medication. Particularly useful for tendinopathy, muscle tears and presentations with a significant inflammatory component.
Clinical Pilates
Rebuilds core strength, spinal stability and neuromuscular control — the physical foundation that protects against re-injury and supports a return to full sporting performance.
Together, these three modalities address the injury from multiple angles. Many patients find this integrated approach can help them return sooner with a lower risk of re-injury than any single treatment alone — though individual results will always depend on the nature and severity of the injury.
Sports injury FAQ
Can I keep training while being treated?
In most cases, some level of training is possible and beneficial during treatment — complete rest is rarely the optimal approach for sports injuries. The key is modifying your training appropriately to allow the injured structure to heal while maintaining your fitness and movement capacity. I'll give you specific guidance on what to keep doing and what to avoid during your recovery phase.
Should I rest or keep moving?
For most sports injuries, complete rest is not the best approach. Appropriate movement within the pain-free range supports tissue healing, circulation and neuromuscular function. The balance depends on the nature and severity of the injury — I'll give you specific, individualised guidance at every stage of recovery.
Do I need imaging before treatment?
For most sports injuries, clinical assessment provides sufficient information to begin appropriate treatment. Imaging is arranged when it is clinically indicated — to rule out fractures, confirm the degree of tissue damage, or when the presentation isn't responding as expected. I'll advise you if imaging is needed and arrange the appropriate referral.
How many sessions will I need?
Recovery time varies depending on the type, severity and location of the injury, as well as individual factors including age and fitness level. As a rough guide: minor soft tissue injuries may resolve in 3–6 sessions; moderate injuries typically require 6–10 sessions; complex or chronic presentations may require more. I'll give you a realistic timeline based on your specific injury at the initial assessment.
Does laser therapy help sports injuries?
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can be a useful tool for sports injury recovery. It may help reduce inflammation and support tissue repair, and is particularly relevant for tendinopathy — where there is a reasonable body of clinical evidence — as well as muscle strains and injuries with significant soft tissue inflammation. At Momentum, laser therapy is incorporated into sports injury care plans where it is clinically appropriate.