Sports therapy is a type of healthcare profession that specialises in the assessment, treatment, and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise or physical activity.
In the UK, sports therapists are required to have completed a Level 5 equivalent course in sports therapy, which includes training in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, injury assessment and treatment, and rehabilitation techniques. They are also trained in first aid and emergency care.
Sports therapists use a range of techniques to help athletes recover from injuries, including massage, stretching, mobilisation, and exercise therapy. They may also use modalities such as electrotherapy and cryotherapy to aid in the healing process.
In addition to treating injuries, sports therapists also work to prevent them from occurring in the first place. They may provide advice on training techniques, warm-up and cool-down exercises, and appropriate equipment and footwear.
Sports therapists are not regulated by a statutory body like the HCPC. However, many choose to register with the government-backed, voluntary regulator the CNHC to maintain professional standards. The CNHC is also a PSA Accredited Register, giving further credibility to its registrants.
Sports therapists focus primarily on the prevention, assessment, and treatment of sports and activity-related injuries and dysfunction, They work with athletes of all levels, from amateur to professional, to help them recover from injuries, improve performance, and prevent future issues. Since the move by NHS away from hands-on treatments for musculoskeletal problems, Sports Therapists are in great demand by the general public.
Sports therapists often work in sports clubs, gyms, and sports clinics. They may be present at sporting events to provide immediate care for injuries. While their expertise is sports-centric, most sports therapists also offer general musculoskeletal therapy.
Active Health Group have been running accredited sports therapy courses since 2000, and meet all the national occupational standards and entry requirements for the CNHC.
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