Sports injuries

Also called: Sprains and strains · Ligament and muscle injuries

From cricket and football to gym training and running, sports injuries share a pattern: tissue overloaded beyond what it was prepared for. Good rehabilitation does more than settle pain — it rebuilds capacity so the injury doesn't repeat, and gets you back to sport with a tested plan.

Typical course: 6–12 sessions depending on the tissue injured — your physio confirms your personal plan after the first assessment.

Common signs

Sudden pain during activity (sprain, strain or tear)
Swelling, bruising or instability around a joint
Gradual overuse pain — shin splints, tendon pain, runner's knee
Loss of power or confidence on return to sport

Common causes

Sudden increases in training load
Inadequate warm-up or recovery
Previous incompletely rehabilitated injury
Muscle imbalance or technique issues

How physiotherapy helps

Accurate assessment of which tissue is injured and how badly
Staged rehab from early protection to sport-specific drills
Load management so you keep training what you safely can
Return-to-play testing to reduce re-injury risk

See a doctor first if…

A joint that is clearly deformed or cannot bear any weight
A 'pop' with immediate large swelling
Numbness or colour change below the injury

Get a personalised assessment

A guide can explain — only an assessment can tell you what applies to you. Every physio on PhysioDekho is credential-verified.

Find a physiotherapist near you

This guide is general education, not medical advice, and is no substitute for assessment by a qualified professional. If any warning sign above applies to you, contact a doctor before starting physiotherapy. Full medical disclaimer.