Musculoskeletal injuries are common across the entire population in all different forms. These injuries include and encompass things such as hamstring strains, calf strains, ankle sprains, fractures, labral tears, neck pain, back pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, foot injuries, plantar fasciitis and shoulder dislocations just to name a few. These injuries can happen at any time, however they commonly occur during sports trainings or games and/or due to an activity overload. Our expert team of clinicians are highly trained to assess, screen and show you how to prevent these injuries in our musculoskeletal screening consultations. Within the consultation, a patient-specific physical assessment is performed using our VALD performance NordBord, handheld dynamometer and other equipment to best measure strength/ stretch/ mobility/ movement skills against relevant sport specific or age-related normal values. This scientific measurement protocol ensures each program is specifically designed matching the person to the requirements of their sport and any physical discrepancies revealed in the assessment are addressed. These programs often require skill, strength or flexibility training an can be set so that patients can do them at home, in the local gym or in our supervised Group Physiotherapy class environment. At the Optimal Health Lab we are commonly screening running-based sporting athletes like AFL, lacrosse, soccer and athletics, but we also perform dance specific screening in pre-pointe assessments and tertiary dance assessment. Another expert assessments available at the Optimal Health Lab is with our expert Podiatrist; they can help you with gait biomechanics, running/walking/ jumping education and general foot care. Diet is another enormous factor in the sports screening and injury prevention area, which requires thorough exploration with our passionate Dietitian. A healthy, varied and consistent diet is integral to growing and matured athletes, because we must remember injury risk if outside just physical strength/ mobility/ flexibility factors. Lastly, ongoing soft tissue management by our Physiotherapists or Myotherapists can help in regaining muscle, bone and joint strength improve performance on game day, and prevent injuries related to tightness or a lack of mobility. We pride ourselves on good communication the athletes team of coaches, other medicos and family unit, to ensure we’re all headed in the same direction for the athlete. So many options to keep you in optimal health and prevent injury!
