Issue 046

February 2009

My doctor is rubbish! When I go to him with an injury he just sends me away with painkillers. What can I do?

For most general practitioners sports injuries are not their strong suit. For many injuries their options for treating you are often limited to prescribing painkillers or referring you for physiotherapy or to a specialist.  This doesn’t mean that your doctor is a bad doctor, or that all doctors are rubbish – simply that this isn’t usually their area of expertise. 

But I shouldn’t have to pay to get treatment, should I?

That’s up to you, of course. However, if you’re a competitive fighter, or even a serious recreational mixed martial artist, then expecting the NHS to deal adequately with all the injuries you may pick up over the course of a career will inevitably result in frustration and lost training time. It makes more sense to regard paying for occasional injury treatment as a training expense.

 So, who should I go and see? 

Physiotherapists, osteopaths, and chiropractors all treat sports injuries, and are all regulated professions. Which one is ‘best’ is largely a matter of personal preference, and depends a lot on the individual practitioner. If it turns out that your injury is something potentially more serious that they can’t deal with themselves (for example, if you need an operation), then they should be able to advise you as to what to do. 

Sports therapists and massage therapists are a more mixed bag. Some are excellent and well trained but, because they are currently unregulated in the UK, anyone can call him- or herself a ‘sports therapist’ or ‘sports masseur’ without necessarily being qualified. If in doubt, ask for details about the practitioner’s qualifications and insurance.  

How do I know if they are any good?

The best way to find a practitioner is by personal recommendation. Some have more experience of working with sportspeople than others, and this is a definite advantage so don’t be afraid to ask. 

If you don’t have a personal recommendation – or even if you do – then be prepared to shop around. Look for someone with whom you feel comfortable, and who is sympathetic towards your involvement in combat sports.  It’s wise to stay with the same therapist for a few treatments, but if after three or four visits you aren’t seeing any improvement, then you may wish to try someone else. 

How can I find out if my practitioner is properly qualified?

Qualified physiotherapists will be registered with the Health Professions Council (www.hpc-uk.org). Osteopaths are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council (www.osteopathy.org.uk) and Chiropractors by the General Chiropractic Council (www.gcc-uk.org). For other therapies such as sports therapy, acupuncture, or shiatsu, ask the practitioner for details of their qualifications and, importantly, their liability insurance.  

Aaargh! I’ve hurt my shoulder. How do I know if it’s serious enough to go to A&E?

Accident and Emergency exists to deal with illnesses and injuries that need immediate treatment. If you suspect you may have badly damaged yourself then it’s better to be safe and get it checked out.  

Is there anything I can do to help myself?

Yes! The best thing you can do with a fresh injury is RICE: rest, ice, compression, elevation. Doing this as soon as possible after an injury can dramatically reduce recovery time.  

Professional fighter Dr Rosi Sexton PhD is a sports therapist and osteopath in training based in Manchester, England. She has fought in countries such as Russia, Canada and the USA, and is ranked as one of the top competitors in her weight class.