What is Sports Therapy?Sports Therapy is an aspect of healthcare that is specifically concerned with the prevention of injury and the rehabilitation of the patient back to optimum levels of functional, occupational and sports specific fitness, regardless of age and ability.
It utilises the principles of sport and exercise sciences incorporating physiological and pathological processes to prepare the participant for training, competition and where applicable, work.
(“The Society of Sports Therapists”)
My role as a Sports Therapist means that I am able to:
- Work pitch-side / or at competitions
- Carry out a full Examination and Assessment of a patient
- Manage Injuries at all stages
- Core Stability
- Rehabilitate Injuries from start to finish
- Where appropriate, refer on for specialist advice
- Help return athletes/patients back to full functional fitness and competition in the shortest, safest possible time
- Pre-habilitate and educate athletes about injury
- Vertebral Mobilizations
Benefits of sports massage are to:
- Improve circulation
- Sedate and stimulate nerve endings
- Increase muscle length and tone
- Remodel scar tissue
- Aid physiological repair
Sports Massage can be used:
- Pre and Post event
- During event
- To help prevent Injury
- To aid recovery if an Injury occurs
My name is Darren WorsfoldI am a qualified Sports Therapist, and a full member of the Society of Sports Therapists (MSST). I work as part of a team in a physiotherapy centre and I also run two clinics of my own, where I manage and treat musculoskeletal injuries.
For as many years as I can remember, I have been involved in the sport of gymnastics. My greatest achievements were in tumbling. I was selected to represent Great Britain on several occasions, competing at National and International competitions and winning medals at the British championships. I am a High Performance Tumbling Coach and I have been coaching for 15 years. I coach all levels from recreational to those that have been selected as members of the National Squad. I regularly attend National training as a coach and Sports Therapist and carry out treatments when needed.
As is common in sport, I sustained minor injuries throughout my long career within gymnastics. Pre-habilitation played a large part for me, general maintenance, treatments and sports massage helped to identify potential problems early, I believe it helped me avoid major injury. I also started to understand the benefits and importance of rehabilitation after an injury.
The want to know more about injuries inspired my interest in a career in Sports Therapy. I can relate to how frustrating it can be, not being able to give it your all in training or at competition.
I enjoy working with people involved in all different types of sport, at all ages, levels of ability and disabilities. Using my combined knowledge and experience as a Sports Therapist and Coach, I produce tailored treatment plans, and personal pre-habilitation/rehabilitation programs for my patient’s individual needs to help them get back to their sport or occupation fast!
