New Trends in Soccer Injury Rehabilitation
Sports injuries can be high in soccer, with competitive male youth players having between 9.5 and 48.7 injuries per 1000 hours played. Some of the most common injuries include ankle and knee sprains; calf strains; clavicle, wrist, and foot fractures; meniscal and ACL tears; and kneecap bursitis. Prevention is key to prevent these issues, with useful strategies prior to games including cardio exercise, stretching, shooting, sprinting, and passing. However, despite these efforts, injuries sometimes occur. Those who have experienced a sprain or fracture and who are keen to get back in the game should take note of the following trends in sports injury rehabilitation.
Traditional Approaches Meet Technology
Among the many tried-and-tested techniques for sports rehabilitation is sports massage. Several techniques are used in this therapy depending on the type of injury sustained. These include the rhythmic compression of muscle groups, which can soften tissues and warm the body up for deeper massage. Therapists also use friction to stretch larger muscle groups. Transverse friction in particular can boost healing in muscles and connective tissues. A novel addition to traditional hands-based massage is the use of gun massagers, which are effective in reducing delayed onset soreness and improving muscle length. These devices can be used to treat existing injuries and prevent further ones from arising. Massage is also frequently used alongside cryotherapy (full-body freezing), which reduces the inflammation that surrounds injuries.
Platelet-Rich Plasma and Tissue Regeneration
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment involves obtaining blood from a patient, placing it through a centrifugal device, and obtaining a solution that is rich in the patient’s own platelets. The solution also contains growth factors, which are a key component of the body’s inherent bone and soft-tissue healing mechanisms. This solution is then injected near the injured area to promote tissue regeneration. PRP kickstarts the body’s natural healing power and speeds up recovery.
Diagnostics Tools
Diagnostics and pinpointing the precise areas of injuries are key when it comes to detecting problems that can lead to a higher rate of injuries. Just a few cutting-edge tools are EMGs (electromyography), which detect inappropriate muscle activation patterns; nerve conduction studies (used to detect the location of an injury to nerves); and musculoskeletal ultrasounds (which deliver deep heat to help health professionals evaluate soft tissues abnormalities).
Virtual Reality
This technology is taking rehabilitation to the next level, by making rehabilitation sessions more immersive and less tedious. Research indicates that athletes who are virtually transported to new worlds can be pushed to attain new goals that surpass what they can achieve in a traditional setting. Currently, VR is being used to strengthen muscles, improve balance, reduce pain, recover joint amplitudes, and more. The technology makes rehab seem more like a game, and athletes can compete against each other or aim to improve their own VR “records.”
PRP, virtual reality, and tech-backed sports massages are just three techniques being used to treat soccer and other sports injuries. Diagnostics, too, are more important than ever, since they enable health professionals to pinpoint vulnerabilities and the exact location of issues. Finally, full body freezing is an excellent complementary therapy used to battle pain and inflammation.
