A muscle tear in a small tendon in her shoulder has meant more than a year of constant pain for Georgie Carmichael, a regular swimmer and yoga fanatic.
'I was diving into the water and, bang! I felt something tear. I let it slide for a couple of weeks, thinking it was too minor to worry about, but it just did not get better,' says Carmichael, who kept practising yoga until advised to stop by an osteopath.
'I saw a physiotherapist, and that slowly made my shoulder more mobile. But it wasn't until I had an ultrasound and they could see exactly where [the tear] was, that it improved. The treatment involved a blend of osteopathy and physiotherapy, being careful not to engage the injured muscle at all while strengthening my back muscles.'
Carmichael's situation was worsened because she failed to take preventative measures, waited too long to seek treatment, and continued her exercise routine.
As those involved in winter sports leagues and seasonal competitions start pre-season training, the risk of injury increases, says Sher Martelle-Climas, clinic manager of massage therapy group the Sutherland-Chan Centre.
'When athletes of all levels suddenly increase the intensity of their training without proper preparation and a maintenance plan, physical injuries, muscle soreness, and reduced performance are common,' she says. 'Therapists often see a sharp increase in sports massage clientele from September to December.'
