Is my knee going to get worse if I exercise on it?

No, appropriate exercise does not wear the joint out. In fact, the opposite is true: controlled, progressive loading strengthens the muscles that support the knee, improves joint nutrition, and reduces pain. A lot of knee pain, especially the overuse kind, is a loading problem rather than a structur

Is there any point trying physiotherapy if I have "bone on bone" arthritis?

Yes, absolutely. Even when X-rays show significant cartilage loss, exercise and physiotherapy can reduce pain, improve function and help you stay active. Scans often show things like mild wear or changes that are completely normal for someone's age and activity level, and not actually the cause of t

Can a physiotherapist actually help with jaw problems or is it only a dentist's job?

Physiotherapists can absolutely help with jaw problems, and research shows that manual therapy, exercise and education are effective first-line treatments. Dentists often fit splints to protect the teeth, which is useful, but splints don't stop clenching or address the underlying muscle and joint me

Why does my jaw click and is it going to get worse?

Clicking usually means the disc inside your jaw joint is moving slightly out of position as you open and close your mouth. It's very common and doesn't always mean serious damage. Many people have clicking without pain, and it often stays stable or improves with treatment. Pain, locking or a sudden

How long will this take to settle?

Most people with jaw dysfunction see meaningful improvement within a few weeks to three months with physiotherapy, particularly when they address the underlying causes such as clenching, stress and posture. Some cases settle faster, others take longer, especially if symptoms have been present for a

Is this damage to my jaw joint or just the muscles?

It can be either, or both. Some people have joint problems such as disc displacement or wear and tear, while others have primarily muscle pain from overload, clenching or stress. Often it's a mix. We assess the joint and the muscles separately to work out what's contributing most, and that guides th

What is causing this pain in my shoulder?

Shoulder pain is usually caused by overload or irritation of the rotator cuff tendons, subacromial bursa, or joint capsule, often driven by repetitive overhead movement, poor scapular control, or reduced mid back mobility. At Physio K, we assess not just the painful area but the whole shoulder compl

Do I need a scan to find out what is wrong?

Most of the time, no. A thorough clinical assessment, including your history, how the pain behaves, and how you move, gives us the information we need to diagnose the problem and start treatment. Scans such as MRI can be helpful when we suspect a full thickness rotator cuff tear, significant structu

Will I need surgery, or can physiotherapy fix this?

The majority of shoulder problems respond well to structured physiotherapy and exercise-based rehabilitation, and surgery is rarely the first option. Research shows that outcomes after surgical intervention and conservative management are often very similar, sometimes better in the strength rehabili

Should I just rest until the pain goes away?

Rest, most of the time in recovery, is never the answer. Sometimes we do need periods of relative rest, for example post-operatively, but even here this does not last too long. The longer that we rest for with back pain, the longer the pain will tend to stick around. We need to move the body, someti

Is my back damaged, and will it get worse if I stay active?

This is one of the most common worries I hear. Behind these questions is usually a lot of anxiety because patients are led to believe that their back pain is lifelong and that certain movement patterns will increase levels of damage. The majority of the time, this is not the case. Your back is stron

Do I need a scan to find out what is wrong?

Most people with low back pain do not need a scan. Imaging often shows age-related changes that are normal and not the cause of your pain. The Australian Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard (2022) recommends avoiding routine imaging unless red flags are present. Your physiotherapist will assess you

How long will it take to get better?

Most people see meaningful improvement within 4 to 8 weeks with physiotherapy, exercise and activity modification. Some improve faster, others take a bit longer, and recurrences are common without ongoing management. Recovery is not always linear: you will have better days and worse days. What matte

What if this is something serious and I need a scan, not physio?

Your clinician will screen for red-flag signs that suggest a more serious problem at your first appointment, and if anything does not fit a benign pattern, you will be referred to your GP or an emergency department urgently. Most headaches are not due to serious disease, but we never ignore worrying

Is the treatment going to make my headaches worse?

It is common to feel a little sore or worked-on for a day or two after hands-on treatment or new exercises, but this usually settles quickly. Your programme is tailored to start at a level your body can tolerate and can be adjusted if symptoms flare. I show patients how to recognise normal post-trea

I've tried so many things already, how is this any different?

This approach does not just chase pain, it looks carefully at the mechanical and lifestyle drivers of your headaches: neck stiffness, posture, jaw tension, sleep position, stress patterns and known triggers. The plan is personalised, progress is monitored, and you are given clear tools to use at hom

How long does vestibular rehabilitation take to work?

BPPV often improves within one to three sessions, with many people feeling significantly better immediately after the repositioning manoeuvre. Other vestibular conditions typically improve over 4 to 12 weeks with daily home exercises and regular clinic reviews. Some residual symptoms may take longer

Will the exercises make me feel worse?

Yes, temporarily. Vestibular exercises are designed to provoke mild to moderate symptoms so your brain can adapt and recalibrate. This is normal, necessary and not harmful. The key is finding the right level of challenge, enough to stimulate adaptation without overwhelming you. Your physiotherapist

Can dizziness come back after treatment?

BPPV can recur, with around 15 to 30% of people experiencing another episode within a year, though it usually responds well to repeat treatment. Other vestibular conditions are less likely to recur if you complete the full rehabilitation programme and address contributing factors such as neck stiffn

Is my neck pain something serious, like a stroke or spinal damage?

Most neck pain is not serious and does not indicate stroke or major structural damage. Red flag symptoms such as sudden severe headache, neurological deficits, gait disturbance or systemic illness are rare but warrant urgent medical assessment. Your physiotherapist or GP will screen for these during

Why does it hurt so much if my scan only shows wear and tear?

Pain intensity does not always match imaging findings. Many people with significant degenerative changes on scans have no pain, and many with severe pain have minimal imaging findings. Pain is influenced by inflammation, muscle tension, movement patterns, stress, sleep and nervous system sensitivity

Should I rest completely or keep moving?

Keep moving. Prolonged rest usually worsens stiffness and delays recovery. Gentle, gradual movement within tolerable limits is encouraged from the start, even in acute pain. Avoid activities that significantly worsen your pain, but stay as active as possible. Your physiotherapist will guide you on a

Should I stretch it or rest completely?

Complete rest isn't usually best. Keep walking as much as you can without significant pain, but avoid running, heavy stretching and any activity that reproduces the sharp pain. Aggressive stretching in the first few weeks can disrupt healing, so we start with gentle range-of-motion exercises and pro

Can I keep walking, working or training?

Walking is usually fine and encouraged, even in the first few days. Most people can continue working unless their job involves heavy lifting, climbing, sprinting or awkward positions that load the hamstring. Training depends on severity. You'll need to stop running and high-speed work initially, but

When can I run or play sport again?

Running is reintroduced gradually once you're pain-free with daily activities and your strength is improving. That might be a few weeks for a minor strain, or several months for a more severe tear. Sport-specific training and competition come last, only after you can sprint pain-free and your streng

INJURIES AND CONDITIONS WE CAN TREAT

At Physio K, we treat a wide range of conditions affecting the movement system.

Here are some of the most common injuries or conditions we are qualified to treat:

Sports Injuries

Creator: Maria Josefina Canepa Bustos
Published: 2026-10-04

Maria Josefina Cánepa Bustos, Senior Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist at Physio K

By Maria Josefina Canepa Bustos

Senior Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist · Registered with AHPRA (PHY0002918524)

Maria Josefina Cánepa Bustos is a Senior Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist with eight years of clinical experience spanning private practice, high-performance sport, and academia

Read more about Maria →

Last reviewed: 21 October 2026

Sports Injuries: Assessment, Treatment and Recovery

Sports injuries are conditions affecting muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones and joints caused or worsened by physical activity, sport or exercise. They range from sudden injuries such as a twisted ankle or torn muscle, to gradual problems such as painful tendons or shins that develop over weeks or months. Most sports injuries improve with physiotherapy treatment that combines hands-on care, tailored exercises and a gradual return to activity. Recovery time varies from a few weeks for straightforward sprains and strains to several months for tendon injuries or stress reactions in bone, but the outlook is usually positive when the underlying causes are addressed.

Sports Injuries: Assessment, Treatment and Recovery

Fast facts
What it is	Injury to muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones or joints from sport, training or physical activity
Common symptoms	Pain during or after activity, swelling, stiffness, weakness, reduced movement, clicking or giving way
Who it affects	Anyone active in sport, exercise, running, gym training or physically demanding work
Typical recovery	Several weeks for uncomplicated sprains and strains, up to several months for tendon or bone stress injuries
Treatment approach	Assessment, education, manual therapy, dry needling, progressive strengthening and sport-specific loading

What are sports injuries?

Sports injuries include any musculoskeletal problem caused or aggravated by sport, exercise, running, gym training or physically demanding work. They fall into two broad groups: acute traumatic injuries, which happen suddenly from a single event such as a fall, collision, twist or landing, and overuse injuries, which develop gradually when repeated training or activity exceeds the body's capacity to recover and adapt.

Acute injuries include ligament sprains, muscle strains, fractures and dislocations. Overuse injuries include tendinopathy (painful, irritated tendons that have not adapted to the load placed on them), stress injury to bone, and conditions such as runner's knee or shin pain.

When tissue is injured suddenly, the force exceeds what that ligament, muscle, bone or joint can withstand. With overuse, the problem is not one big event but rather repeated small loads that do not allow enough time for the tissue to repair and strengthen between sessions. Pain, reduced function and impaired performance can also be influenced by sleep quality, psychological stress, previous injury, training errors and general health, rather than only by what shows on a scan.

Sports injuries are different from systemic inflammatory diseases, infections, cancers and pain referred from the spine or nerves, which may need medical investigation. In Australia, physiotherapists commonly assess and manage uncomplicated musculoskeletal injuries. Suspected fractures, major ligament or tendon ruptures, neurological signs or systemic illness require medical referral.

What it feels like: symptoms

Sharp or sudden pain at the time of injury, or aching pain during or after exercise
Swelling, bruising or warmth around the injured area
Stiffness or reduced range of movement, particularly first thing in the morning or after rest
Weakness, difficulty bearing weight, or feeling that a joint might give way
Clicking, popping or catching sensations during movement
Pain that eases with rest but returns when you resume activity
Loss of confidence or fear of reinjury when returning to sport

What causes sports injuries and who is at risk

Sports injuries happen when a single high-force event exceeds the capacity of the tissue, or when repeated loading over time does not allow adequate recovery and adaptation. Overuse injuries occur when training stress repeatedly exceeds the body's ability to repair and strengthen muscle, tendon, bone or other tissues between sessions.

Modifiable factors that increase risk include sudden increases in training volume or intensity, inadequate recovery between sessions, continuing to train while symptomatic, poor technique, unsuitable footwear or equipment, insufficient strength and conditioning, low energy availability, smoking, poor sleep and limited nutritional intake. If you have a physically demanding job involving prolonged standing, manual handling or repetitive movements, that load can compound what you are doing in sport or training.

Non-modifiable or less-modifiable factors include age, previous injury to the same area, individual anatomy, sex-related hormonal and structural differences, genetic influences and the demands of your chosen sport. Common aggravators include returning to full training too quickly after a break or an injury, changing surface or footwear, competition periods with back-to-back events, travel, fatigue and repeated exposure to the original mechanism that caused the problem.

Active people often present with overuse injuries after they have changed something: increased their running distance or frequency, bought new shoes, started a new exercise program, or returned to training after time off. The injury is usually related to not preparing the body for that new stress. You might feel frustrated because you cannot pinpoint a single moment when it went wrong, but overuse problems rarely come from one event. They build up over time from several factors: training load, recovery, strength gaps, movement patterns, and sometimes stress or sleep.

Sports injuries affect people of all ages, from children and adolescents through to recreationally active adults and elite athletes. Injury rates vary substantially by sport, how injury is defined, how much people are exposed to the activity, and how the data is reported. According to a systematic review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2007, injury rates differ substantially by activity and exposure, demonstrating why sports injury estimates must be interpreted according to sport, age and the measure used.

Risk is higher in activities involving running, jumping, rapid acceleration, contact, collision, cutting movements or repetitive overhead movement. Adolescents, people returning to activity after a period of inactivity, athletes with a previous injury to the same area, and those undertaking rapid training increases are commonly affected.

How sports injuries are assessed and treated

Assessment begins the moment you walk into the room. I start by observing how you move, whether you are compensating, and how you are using the injured limb. I also pay attention to your body language: what you say, and what you do not say, such as the positions you avoid or the postures you adopt to protect yourself from pain. During the interview, I begin ruling things out and forming a working idea based on your history and how the pain behaves. My approach is always movement first: symptoms are informative, but they are not the main problem. From watching how you move, I get a sense of your control and movement quality, which helps me narrow down what may be driving the issue.

Once I have a clearer understanding, I combine observation, palpation and movement assessment to guide treatment. This allows me to integrate hands-on treatment with active rehabilitation in a strategic way, rather than treating them as separate phases. This approach has been shaped by my experience working in both Chile and Australia, which have given me two very different but complementary models of care.

Treatment depends on the injured tissue, how irritable it is, your functional goals and any medical risks. First-line physiotherapy care commonly includes education about what has happened and what to expect, relative rest from the activities that aggravate symptoms, maintaining movement that you can tolerate, progressive strengthening, mobility work, balance and coordination training, and graded sport-specific loading. Rehabilitation should progress through functional milestones, such as being able to hop without pain or complete a full training session, rather than relying only on being pain-free at rest.

Manual therapy may provide short-term pain relief or improvement in movement, and can help you participate more fully in exercise, but it works best as an adjunct rather than a standalone treatment. At Physio K, we use manual therapy techniques including joint mobilisation and soft tissue release, sometimes combined with dry needling, which may help ease muscle tension and pain in some people. Taping, bracing, orthoses and compression may assist confidence, symptom control or selected mechanical problems, but their effects vary and they should not replace active rehabilitation.

"The most important thing is understanding what the contributing factors are," says Maria Josefina Canepa Bustos, Senior Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist at Physio K. "A good interview and assessment give us a frame for what is okay to do and what is triggering the pain. In most cases, managing or modifying the load helps to keep you active without triggering pain or affecting recovery."

Australian physiotherapists do not prescribe medicines. A pharmacist or medical practitioner can advise on pain relief or anti-inflammatory medicines, considering risks, interactions and the specific injury. Corticosteroid injections require medical assessment and are not appropriate for every tendon or acute injury. Referral is indicated for suspected fracture, dislocation, major ligament or tendon rupture, persistent unexplained symptoms, neurological signs, systemic features such as fever or unexplained weight loss, or failure to progress with physiotherapy. Timelines range from several weeks for uncomplicated sprains and strains to months for tendinopathy, stress injury or major ligament rehabilitation. Prognosis is often favourable, but recurrence is possible if the underlying causes are not addressed.

Different approaches at Physio K

At Physio K, you have access to both physiotherapy and massage therapy, and the two approaches complement one another in sports injury care. Physiotherapy focuses on assessment, diagnosis, education, exercise prescription and hands-on treatment including manual therapy and dry needling. A physiotherapist will assess your movement, identify the factors contributing to your injury, provide a tailored rehabilitation program, and guide your return to sport or activity through progressive loading and functional milestones.

Massage therapy focuses on soft tissue work that may help reduce muscle tension and support recovery. A massage therapist can help with muscle tightness, trigger points and areas of overload, particularly during the recovery phase or as part of ongoing maintenance. Massage therapy works well alongside physiotherapy: the physiotherapist addresses the underlying movement, strength and loading issues, while the massage therapist supports tissue recovery and symptom management. Your physiotherapist can advise whether massage therapy would be helpful at a particular stage of your rehabilitation.

The impact on daily life and identity

Sports injuries do not only affect the injured body part. Research published in Physical Therapy in Sport in 2024 found that sports injury affects pain, participation, identity, emotions, communication and decisions about seeking or following rehabilitation. A qualitative study published in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy in 2024 found that sports-active people with chronic ankle instability described restricted participation, uncertainty, reduced confidence and loss of sporting identity, alongside the mechanical and functional symptoms.

If you are training for an event, part of a team, or simply someone who runs or trains regularly, an injury can feel like losing part of your identity. You might worry about losing fitness, disappointing teammates, missing the event you have been working towards, taking time off work, paying for treatment, or never returning to your previous level. These concerns are real, and they are common. Understanding that recovery is often gradual, that setbacks do not necessarily mean reinjury, and that rehabilitation is an active process rather than passive treatment can reduce uncertainty and improve confidence.

At Physio K, we see active people with both acute injuries related to physical activity or sport, and overuse injuries that have developed gradually. You might be a runner dealing with shin pain, a hockey player with a hamstring strain, a CrossFit athlete with shoulder pain, or someone training for their first marathon and experiencing knee discomfort. Whatever your goal, whether it is getting back to your Saturday morning parkrun, returning to your hockey team, or simply being able to walk the dog without pain, we tailor the rehabilitation to your needs and your life.

What the research shows

Injury rates differ substantially by activity, age and how exposure is measured, which is why blanket statistics about "sports injuries" can be misleading. The British Journal of Sports Medicine systematic review demonstrated that injury estimates must be interpreted according to the sport, the age group and the denominator used, whether that is per participant, per hour of exposure, or per season.

The emotional and psychological impact of sports injury is increasingly recognised in the research. The 2024 systematic review in Physical Therapy in Sport synthesised qualitative evidence indicating that sports injury affects not only pain and physical function, but also participation, identity, emotions, communication with coaches and peers, and decisions about seeking or adhering to rehabilitation. The 2024 qualitative study in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapyfound that people with chronic ankle instability described feeling like they had "lost part of their identity", alongside the mechanical symptoms of giving way and instability.

These findings matter because they tell us that effective sports injury care must address more than the tissue. It must acknowledge the frustration, the worry about reinjury, the pressure to return quickly, and the loss of confidence. Clear explanations of what has happened, what to expect, which warning signs matter, what level of discomfort is acceptable during rehabilitation, and what the criteria are for progressing to the next stage can all reduce uncertainty and improve outcomes.

At Physio K, we combine evidence-based exercise prescription with hands-on manual therapy, dry needling, and education. My clinical practice reflects my experience working in both Chile, where physiotherapy is predominantly exercise-based, and Australia, which gave me two different but complementary approaches to care. I focus on conducting a thorough movement assessment, educating you about what is happening, and addressing symptoms as efficiently as possible during the session, while also providing a specific, individualised exercise program tailored to your condition and your goals.

When to seek urgent help

Most sports injuries do not require emergency care, but some features warrant prompt medical assessment. Seek urgent help if you experience deformity of a limb or joint, inability to bear weight at all, rapidly increasing swelling, an open wound with bone or deep tissue visible, loss of circulation, loss of sensation or pins and needles that do not resolve, or marked weakness that prevents normal movement.

Also seek medical review if you have severe pain that is not controlled with over-the-counter pain relief, pain that is progressively worsening rather than improving, recurrent swelling without an obvious cause, mechanical locking where the joint gets stuck, repeated instability or giving way, focal bone tenderness after an impact, pain at rest that consistently disrupts sleep, fever, unexplained weight loss, unexplained night pain, or feeling systemically unwell. If you have any doubt, it is always safer to get checked.

Cost and funding in Australia

Physiotherapy for sports injuries may be funded through several schemes, depending on your circumstances. If you have a chronic condition and see your GP, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate for up to five allied health sessions per year under a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan. A gap payment usually applies, and rebate amounts change, so confirm the current amount with your GP or the clinic.

If you have private health insurance with extras cover, you may be able to claim part of the cost, depending on your level of cover and your annual limits. Check with your insurer before your appointment. If your injury is work-related and accepted by WorkCover, treatment may be covered under that scheme. NDIS participants may access physiotherapy where it is reasonable and necessary under their plan. Confirm eligibility, current costs and any required documentation with your GP, insurer, plan manager or the clinic before your first appointment.

Common questions

Do I have to stop training completely if I have pain?

No, in most cases you do not have to stop everything. With most overuse injuries, it is about managing the load rather than complete rest. Reducing intensity, frequency or duration is usually the key to continuing activity without aggravating symptoms. A helpful guide is the traffic light system for pain: pain between 0 and 3 out of 10 is the green zone, mild discomfort that does not prevent you from continuing. Pain between 3 and 5 out of 10 is the yellow zone: you can continue with caution, but pay attention to how long it takes to settle and whether it worsens after activity. If it lingers or gets worse, reduce the load. Pain above 5 or 6 out of 10 is the red zone, where your body is signalling that it is not tolerating the load at that time and you should stop. At Physio K, we work with you to find the right balance, modifying your training so you stay active while the injury recovers.

How long will it take before I can return to my sport or full training?

Recovery time varies depending on the injury, how irritable it is, and the demands of your sport. Uncomplicated muscle strains and ligament sprains often improve within several weeks, while tendon injuries, stress reactions in bone, and major ligament rehabilitation can take several months. Because overuse injuries are usually multifactorial, it often takes a few weeks or months to return to previous training loads. In the meantime, we focus on strengthening and preparing the tissues so that when you do progress, your body is able to tolerate that load safely. Getting better means preparing your body to cope with the same or more effort than it was prepared for at the moment of injury. You are ready when you can return to your pre-injury activities with minimal or no pain, and with the strength, control and confidence your sport demands

Why do my muscles feel tight all the time, and does that mean they are strong?

Not necessarily. Tightness and strength are two different things. In fact, sometimes a muscle feels tight because it is working harder than it should to compensate for weakness somewhere else. At the same time, for a muscle to be strong, it needs to be able to both contract and relax effectively. A muscle that is constantly tight does not have the freedom to generate as much force or power as it should. When the body does not feel confident or strong enough to control a movement, its natural protective response is to tighten up and create stiffness, so it can stay in a safer, more stable position. In many cases, building strength through different ranges of motion actually leads to better mobility, because the body learns that it can control those positions safely. At Physio K, we assess movement patterns and strength, focusing not only on the acute phase of the injury but on long-term recovery to prevent reinjury.

How can I stop this injury from happening again?

Preventing recurrence means understanding what caused the injury in the first place. Overuse injuries rarely come from a single event, they are usually the result of several factors building up over time, such as training load, recovery, strength deficits, movement patterns, or even stress and sleep. My job is to identify which factors are contributing in your case and help you address them so you can recover and reduce the risk of it happening again. At Physio K, we check and work on movement patterns and strength, focusing on preparing your body to cope with the demands of your sport or activity. With the right education, you should be able to read your body, understand when it is getting overloaded, and make adjustments before a small niggle turns into a bigger problem.

If you’re dealing with a sports injury and want a clear plan to get back to your sport safely, book an appointment with Physio K or contact the clinic to talk it through.

Reviewed by Kenny Merlevede, senior physiotherapist, founder and director · Registered with the AHPRA (PHY0002060505)

Kenny is a physiotherapist with over 18 years’ experience in musculoskeletal and sports rehabilitation. He has a focus on identifying the contributing factors behind pain and treating complex presentations including chronic spine pain, neck and headache disorders, jaw dysfunction, and persistent sports injuries. His approach combines manual therapy, dry needling, and active rehabilitation with strong emphasis on education and patient outcomes.

Reviewed by Kenny Merlevede. Kenny Merlevede is a Senior Physiotherapist with 18 years of experience in private practice, with a focus on complex cervical presentations and persistent musculoskeletal conditions. Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (PHY0002060505); Registered with SIRA (15563).

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. If you have concerns about your health, please consult a qualified clinician or your GP.