Common sports injuries and the spa treatments that can help

While rest is probably the best thing for most common sports injuries (at least the variety that don’t require surgery at any rate), the right spa treatment can help to soothe, relax and encourage the healing process. Here are the top spa treatments for common sports injuries…

Physiotherapy for an ankle sprain

The popular acronym for helping an ankle sprain to heal is RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. The goal is to help reduce the swelling in the joint and to help prevent further damage.

After the first 24 hours or so, it’s a good idea to start gently restoring flexibility and range of motion, a process that will take a little time. Seeing a physio is often a good idea as well, and at Foxhills Club and Resort, the luxury spa has a Sports Injury Clinic with a team of expert practitioners, offering a multi-disciplined approach to wellbeing.

Acupuncture for a groin sprain

Usually the result of a high speed activity like kicking (so it’s common amongst football players), a groin sprain is a muscular tear or rupture that results in pain, spasms, and muscle contraction.

While early treatment is similar to the RICE approach to a sprained ankle, in the longer term soft tissue massage and acupuncture have been known to have positive impact on rehabilitation and pain management. So why not try it out in style within the luxurious walls of ESPA Life at Corinthia in London. Their decadent style is compounded by intimate knowledge of Chinese medicine and modern science.

Massage for a hamstring strain

Hamstring injuries can take a very long time to recover from, and of course you need proper medical advice to diagnose the severity of the injury. Common symptoms include pain in your thigh when bending and flexing your leg, tenderness, swelling, and bruising in the back of the thigh, and weakness in your leg that lasts for a long time.

Pending the advice of a professional, massage can help to reduce pain and minimise scar tissue. In particular lymph drainage massage or gentle Swedish massage to stretch the muscle fibres. Try the award-winning Solas Croi Spa at Brandon House Hotel in Ireland.

Acupuncture for shin splints

The bane of every runner’s existence, shin splints are particularly troublesome for their chronic tendencies. They tend to be a repetitive strain injury but can be compounded by biomechanical issues and improper footwear. They cause a dull ache in the front of the lower leg, sometimes a pinching feeling, and occasionally can be painful to the touch.

Best caught and dealt with early for the best results, again acupuncture is wonderful for reducing pain and promoting healing and has often been used by sports professionals in the treatment of shin splints. Taoist Practitioner Toby Maguire at The BodyHoliday really knows what he’s talking about. And let’s be honest, combined with a good rest in St Lucia you are guaranteed to feel better in no time!

Cupping for tennis elbow

Tennis elbow is a self-limiting condition, which means it will eventually get better without treatment, but it can be persistent and a number of simple treatments can help limit the discomfort.

These can range from physio to steroid injections, but at the more holistic end of the spectrum cupping has been considered extremely helpful, with its roots in ancient medicine. It helps to reduce pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being. Try it out in the quirky luxury of Oddfellows on the Park where Tibetan cupping in the spa that occupies a former pigsty is just one of the more unique treatments available.