Sports injuries are injuries that are caused by participation in a sporting event. In many cases, these types of injuries are due to overuse of a part of the body when participating in a certain activity. However, accidents can also happen when casually participating in a sport and physiotherapy can often be required by the non-professional.

At the Monaghan Physiotherapy Clinic we work with both amateur and professional sportspeople, in diagnosing, treating and preventing injury. Our clients includes runners, footballers, rugby players, hurlers, cyclists, tennis players, musicians and professional performers. Physiotherapy on sports injuries speeds recovery, identifies any underlying causes, and helps to get you back to your activity safely whilst preventing recurrence.

Massage is the practice of applying structured or unstructured pressure, tension, motion, or vibration – manually or with mechanical aids – to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints. Massage can be applied to parts of the body or successively to the whole body, to aid the process of injury healing, relieve psychological stress, manage pain, and improve circulation. There are 2 main massage therapies on offer at the clinic.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscle. This invigorating experience is a process of detecting the stiff or painful areas by determining the quality and texture of the deeper layers of musculature and slowly working into these layers. It is ideal for those experiencing aches and pains in and around the spine, particularly office workers and travellers, and for post sporting injury.

Sports Massage can include deep tissue massage to assist in the healing of muscular problems. It can be performed as a pre-sport massage to prepare the athlete for sport or as a longer massage post exercise to aid the healing of tight muscles, the relaxation of muscles, to improve circulation and to restore function to tight muscles and joints.

A specific exercise program can be prescribed for a person whose mobility has been comprised by injury or pain, with the purpose of helping to restore normal movement and muscle balance. Our aim is to ensure each of our patients return to the pre-injury level of function. An individualised exercise programme will be provided that can be incorporated into their normal routine, focusing on the person’s individual goals, whether that be completing a marathon, return to work or simply gardening or looking after their grandkids.

At Monaghan Physiotherapy Clinic we feel exercise is the key to maintaining function and prevention of further injury. We aim provide you with the knowledge and skills to manage your condition in the long term and decrease your chance of the same problem/injury recurring in the future.

Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine, in which practitioners stimulate specific points on the body by inserting thin needles through the skin. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, this regulates the flow of qi (vital energy) along channels known as meridians.

Acupuncture has can be used for a wide range of pain conditions, such as low-back pain, neck pain, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, headache, and tennis elbow.

Western Acupuncture

At Monaghan Physiotherapy Clinic, our physiotherapists are all highly trained in Western Acupuncture and Dry needling. Western Acupuncture and Dry needling is a traditional form of Chinese Medicine, with a Western form of philosophy and reasoning with particular attention to neurophysiology and anatomy. Very fine acupuncture needles are inserted into specific points in your body to help with the condition you have.

What is Western Acupuncture used for?

Western Acupuncture and Dry needling targets muscle tissue and it’s nerve connections. It is used to help many conditions related to muscle pain, joint stiffness and even assist with nerve conditions such as sciatica or nerve impingement. This may include conditions such as neck tension, headaches, back pain, tennis elbow, shoulder conditions, sciatica, muscle imbalances, joint mal-alignment and much more.

How does Western Acupuncture work?

Western Acupuncture and Dry needling work by targeting specific meridian points and trigger points in muscles which are hypersenstive regions within a muscle (like tight ‘knots’) with high concentration of chemicals which cause pain. When a needle is inserted into these points, it acts to ‘jump start’ the muscle and nerve supply. This will help to:

• Normalise these chemical levels and reduce pain
• Help increase blood flow to the area to promote healing
• Release muscle tension to restore normal length
• Help to promote symmetry of the body to restore muscle imbalances and joint mal-alignment

When do I feel better?

After a Western Acupuncture and Dry Needling session, you may feel better straight away. Others may feel better a few days later. If this was your first session or had an intense session your muscles may feel achey and tired, a bit like they have done a big workout at the gym. It is a good idea to drink plenty of water and rest if tired. If you are used to Western Acupuncture and Dry needling, it should be fine to continue your normal sport that day, but after your first time, you may choose to take a day off.

For chronic and more persistent conditions, regular Western Acupuncture and Dry needling will be required to effectively manage your condition.

Acupuncture Consent Form

Our custom made orthotics are as accurate as glasses. Custom made orthotics help support the bones in your feet and create proper alignment. We make orthotics to reposition the foot structure to reduce the stress and pain on the joints that are causing the discomfort.

How do Orthotics Work?

Your orthotic will gently and consistently hold your foot into the optimum position and allow the foot to function correctly when walking, running and standing. With the help of your orthotics, pressure points, improper rotation of feet and muscle strain can be eliminated and the feet will then be functioning as they were designed to do. Once you are used to wearing them you will find them so comfortable that you will wonder how you ever managed without them.

How long will I have to wear them?

No one knows. Orthotics work in the same way as glasses, the optician prescribes glasses to help you see but they do not cure your vision. Orthotics work in the same way they help you function in a better way and will continue to work as long as you wear them or as long as you wish to avoid discomfort.

Orthotics for Your Life Style

Your orthotics will be designed for your shoe type and made to function for that type of shoe. If you require other designs for other activities we are used to catering for most activities.

Manual therapy is a physical, hands-on technique used by Chartered Physiotherapists to diagnose and treat soft tissue and joint structures, with the aim to reduce pain, increase range of motion, reduce or eliminate soft tissue inflammation, inducing relaxation, improve contractile and non-contractile tissue repair, facilitate movement and improve function. It may include mobilisation, manipulation of massage techniques.

Taping is often used as an adjunct to physiotherapy treatment to facilitate the body’s natural healing process through providing support and stability to the injured area without restricting movement. Taping has many benefits including:

Support: Taping can be used to give support to muscles that have been injured or overused, not only relieving some of the immediate pain, but also taking stress off that muscle and allowing for faster recovery.

Adhesive: The adhesive used in tape ensures the tape stays in place over a period of time. The glue used on these tapes will ensure that they do not move, will stay firmly on the body for days, and actually lifts up the skin underneath for breathability.

Healing: As well as taking stress off and relieving the pain of an injured muscle, taping is designed to encourage lymphatic flow and increase local circulation, thus promote tissue healing.

Encouraging better movement: Poor postures and biomechanical problems can lead to pain. Taping our bodies in a certain way can retrain them to move in ways that are more natural, easier, or safer. Taping can also be used to correct imbalances between different muscles, e.g patella tendinopathy.

Training/Prevention: Taping can also be used to assist return to sport post injury, e.g ankle strain,  by providing biofeedback to improve performance and help to prevent injury.