Occupational Therapy in Sports Rehabilitation
As a sub-specialty of hand therapy and orthopedics, the role of occupational therapists in sports rehabilitation has shown a multidimensional increase in the recent years. With an increased focus and research on the importance of exercise and improving activity levels as a way of staying healthy, a large population in the growing economies like India, is getting involved in various sports, both at a recreational and a professional level. This increased participation in a myriad of sports has enhanced the risk of injuries related to sports, both from a repetitive and a traumatic standpoint. Occupational therapists, with specialization in the upper quadrant, are in a unique position to manage and also prevent these injuries.
One of the most popular sports played in the Indian subcontinent is cricket. According to recent studies (Brit. Journal of Sports Med. 2013; 2015).
- Shoulder rotator cuff injuries.
- Medial sided elbow pain related to tendinopathy.
- Wrist and finger fractures, are amongst the most common injuries that cricketers have to endure.
Similar injuries have been reported in
- Tennis
- Golf
- Badminton
All sports that are played by a diverse population. Occupational therapists with a thorough understanding of the upper quadrant anatomy, kinesiology and biomechanics is an inherently important member of the sports medicine team in not only treating the injured athlete but also in facilitating his/her safe and early return to sports. Besides education in conditioning and injury prevention, Occupational Therapists can fabricate custom splints to enable the athlete to return to sports earlier than expected.Taping is emerging as a huge part of sports management to enhance performance. For more information please contact our Hand Therapy Specialist Ashim Bakshil for more information