Sports Therapy One - Injury Rehabilitation & Sports Massage

22/11/2025

📣 Quick update

My November diary is now full and I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has booked in.

I’ve got limited spaces left in December and these are at the Kenilworth clinic only. If you think you might need a treatment before the Christmas rush, it’s a good idea to get yourself booked in sooner rather than later.

🎁 Christmas e-vouchers are also available if you want to give someone the gift of feeling a bit less broken this year. Just drop me a message and I’ll sort it for you.

📆 You can book here:
https://sportstherapyone.com/

Cheers
Stuart 🎄🙌💪

15/11/2025

Really pleased to be working more closely with the Sports Therapy Association as an STA Champion.
Looking forward to supporting the profession, contributing to the wider MSK community, and playing a small part in shaping where Sports Therapy goes next. 🩺

06/11/2025

🧠 How Sports Therapists Think
A common example in clinic:
Someone comes in with low back pain that has built up over time. They work at a desk but also spend a lot of time on the road. Sitting for long periods, driving, and the general stop and start rhythm of the job have started to take their toll.
In clinic, their general movement looks fine, but there is some restriction through the lower back and thoracic spine. Flexion, extension, rotation, and side flexion are all a bit limited. No red flags, no nerve involvement, just a clear pattern of mechanical restriction.
We have not got X ray eyes, so we rely on evidence gathering. What we are told, what we see, and what we test. That is how we build the story and form our clinical reasoning.
The impression?
Symptoms are often multifactorial, with lifestyle and postural factors contributing. With corrective loading, movement re education, and small changes to how they manage their day, improvement is usually seen within 6 to 8 weeks.
This is a really common picture, especially for people now working from home or spending long hours driving.
This is what Sports Therapy looks like. Evidence informed assessment, structured reasoning, and a plan built around the individual, not just their pain 🩻

28/10/2025

🦴 Understanding disc changes in the lower back

This model shows four lumbar discs demonstrating how they can change over time, from healthy to more advanced stages of wear and tear.

From left to right:

1️⃣ Healthy disc – Normal spacing and cushioning between the vertebrae. The disc absorbs load and allows smooth, pain-free movement.

2️⃣ Disc degeneration – The disc begins to lose hydration and height, shown here in red. This can lead to stiffness or mild local discomfort, particularly after rest or sitting for long periods.

3️⃣ Disc herniation with nerve involvement – The inner material of the disc pushes outward, placing pressure on a nearby spinal nerve. This can cause localised back pain as well as sciatic-type symptoms such as sharp pain, tingling, or numbness radiating into the leg. ⚡️

4️⃣ Advanced degeneration and disc thinning – The disc height is significantly reduced, with increased stress on surrounding joints and nerves. This may lead to ongoing stiffness, back pain, and in some cases persistent sciatic symptoms if nerve irritation remains.

🧠 Models like this are a great way to show how disc changes can develop over time and why symptoms can vary so much from person to person.

If you’re struggling with back pain and would like to book in for an assessment in Coventry, Kenilworth or surrounding areas, please visit sportstherapyone.com where you can book an appointment online.

11/10/2025

Taping for an irritated Achilles does not work by holding the tendon in place. The benefit comes from how it affects the way the nervous system processes pain.

When tape touches the skin, it activates sensory nerves that send fast, light touch signals up to the spinal cord. These signals travel faster than the slower pain messages that come from irritated tissue.

Inside the spinal cord, both types of signals meet in an area called the dorsal horn. According to the pain gate theory, the faster touch signals can help close the “gate” to some of the slower pain signals before they reach the brain.

This reduces the amount of pain that is felt and can help someone move with more confidence.

The tape itself is not fixing the tendon, but it can change how the body experiences pain and movement. That can make it easier to start loading, exercising, and building strength, which is where the real progress happens.

03/09/2025

New on the Sports Therapy One Blog -

Beyond the treadmill – discover how real-world gait analysis helps runners improve performance, reduce injury risk, and enjoy every stride.

19/08/2025

Join the Longford Striders RunTogether Group for a 9-week Couch to 5K course for beginners. Starting with 1-minute runs, we’ll build up to 30 minutes continuous running in a supportive, friendly group. Led by qualified England Athletics coaches and leaders, sessions include a warm-up, workout, and...

10/08/2025

On Saturday, I was at the Coventry City v Hull City game as a spectator.

The goalkeeper went down.
Fans were frustrated and wanted the player to just get up so the game could carry on.

But when there’s a suspected spinal injury, player care is of the utmost importance, despite what the crowd think.

The referee called the medic/physio/sports therapist on.
They immediately went straight into the MILS position (manual in-line stabilisation) a crucial step to protect the spine until each clearance is made.

From my years working in rugby union, I’ve been in that position many times.
I found myself explaining the process to a couple of people around me the step-by-step checks, why nothing is rushed, and how each movement has to be cleared before moving to the next.

Thankfully, after passing the final clearances, Ivor Pandur sat up and was able to continue the game.

It was a good reminder, never be afraid to explain the WHY.
Understanding for the general public turns frustration into respect and they also find it interesting and informative.

As pitchside professionals, whether working or spectating, we must never miss a chance to educate!

06/08/2025

There was a time when people had one family doctor.
Someone who knew them, their history, their story.
And guess what?
People were often healthier for it.

So why should it be any different with a Sports Therapist?

Everyone is entitled to a second opinion, no problem there.
But in my experience, consistency is what really drives results.

You can have scans, different plans, advice from ten people…
But if no one is connecting the dots with you over time, what’s the point?

A good therapist won’t just say what you want to hear.
They’ll help you understand what you need to hear.
And they’ll know when it’s time to refer on if needed.

Stick with someone who sees the bigger picture.
That’s where the real progress happens.