Summer is officially here and as a BS6 Osteopath it's a good time to give advice to patients on cricket injuries in Bristol for this season .
As an osteopath in Bristol with over 25 years experience in treating sporting injuries, I have treated many cricketers, some high-level professional cricketers, as well as club-level cricketers and some social/recreational players.
Cricket is sometimes seen as a slow sport, but those who know the game will recognise that commonly cricket injuries are caused by sudden ballistic periods of activity.
What sort of activities cause injuries in cricket?
Some of the injuries I see in cricket-playing patients come from:
Falls, bumps, twists causing traumatic muscle strains, ligaments tears and also impact injuries causing bruising/haematomas.
Injuries from diving for ball catches are fairly common as well as slips and strains when fielding for a ball.
Injuries from sudden sprints between the wicket or while fielding.
Which players sustain the most cricket injuries?
Most commonly at my Bristol osteopathic clinic I see bowling injuries, especially in medium to fast-paced bowlers. These injuries include:
High impact injuries from the run up and explosive bowling action. These can often be repetitive.
High levels of strain are placed on the bowlers shoulders, back, hips, knees and ankles.
Common cricket injuries from bowling that I treat at my Henleaze clinic will typically cover back and side strains (side of the trunk), hip, knee and ankle injuries due to the repeated high impacts on these joints, and also shoulder strain from the dynamic bowling action.
Why is osteopathy good for cricket injuries?
Osteopathic treatment is often a good approach for cricketers, as it looks at the body in a holistic way.
Injuries caused by playing cricket at any competitive level can relate to problems or dysfunction in a distant part of the body.
For example, an ankle problem or restriction may put strain on the hip, pelvis or low back and vice versa.
When working with patients that have sustained a cricket injury, I also guide them through rehabilitation exercises to help aid a speedy recovery.
As with any kind of sporting injury, prevention is always better than cure.
Nobody wants to be injured and unable to take part in a full season of cricket or any other sporting activity for that matter.
How do I prevent cricket injuries?
It is important to keep the body strong and mobile.
Working on stability throughout the body and keeping it flexible is a good way to minimise the likelihood of injury this cricket season.
Strength and conditioning work is helpful: this keeps the large moving joints strong and stable, while also reducing the risk of strain or injury.
Flexibility work is key to maintaining healthy joints and minimising muscular injury, such as tears.
Core strength work also is vital: try Pilates, TRX work in the gym, and body balance. These are all great ways to prevent joint injuries and back strains.
Always warm up pre-match, and stay active and flexible throughout the game.
Hydrate: joint and muscle health depends upon this, and it is critical if you are out in the sun for extended periods of time playing cricket matches this year.
If you would like to discuss how my osteopathic treatments in BS6 could help you with any cricket injuries this season, please book a consultation with me online here.
My Bristol osteopath clinic is fully open so if you’re looking for osteopathic treatments, please read this news post to find out about the measures in place at my Henleaze osteopathy clinic for all patients.
For more hints, tips and advice on staying safe and active when playing any sports this Summer, please visit my News section here.
To find out more about the full range of osteopathic treatments that I provide in Bristol, please visit here for details.