At Pain Away Clinic, we treat many professional kickboxers, Muay Thai fighters, soccer players, volleyball players, and basketball players. Caring for athletes or people who play sports requires a different approach compared to those who do not.
For example, when someone has knee or lower back pain, treatments such as electrical therapy, massage, or acupuncture can help relieve pain by reducing muscle tension. However, if they play sports immediately after these treatments, it can sometimes lead to joint injuries.
For instance, if the multifidus muscle (a deep muscle in the lower back) is relaxed and then followed by heavy weight training, it can often result in acute lower back pain (a “locked” or strained back). Similarly, if the muscles around the knee are relaxed and then the person plays soccer, they may find it harder to generate force in the leg, and the knee can become unstable. This may increase the risk of injuries such as ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears or meniscus damage.
For people who do not engage in sports, relaxing the muscles usually reduces pain and rarely causes problems. However, for athletes, simply relaxing the muscles is not always the right approach.
It is very important to determine which muscles should be relaxed and which should not. It is also essential to assess how much relaxation is appropriate based on the athlete’s response. In addition, understanding what kind of training will follow the treatment and when the competition is scheduled is crucial before performing any muscle release.
Furthermore, after relaxing the muscles, it is possible—and important—to activate them again. Activation means re-engaging the muscles that were relaxed so they can function properly. By doing this, athletic performance can be restored.
Understanding all of these factors is extremely important when providing care for athletes and people who play sports.
