Blog · Deborah Bateson · 9 July 2026
Physiotherapy
Recovering from a sports injury — from day one
Deborah Bateson on acute sports injury physiotherapy: early assessment, what to ice, what not to rest forever, and when to get a scan.
Early does not mean aggressive
Seeing an injury in the first days lets us protect the tissue and keep neighbouring joints moving. Complete rest for weeks is rarely the modern plan. Complete heroics on Saturday is also not the plan.
POLICE, not folklore
Protection, optimal loading, ice, compression, elevation is a more useful frame than “just ice it for a week”. Exact advice depends on the tissue. An ankle sprain and a muscle tear are not the same.
Scans
Not every sprain needs an MRI. Inability to weight-bear, a suspected fracture, or a complete tendon rupture does need urgent medical assessment. I will not delay that.
This article is general information for people considering care at Health at Hart in Hartley Wintney. It is not a diagnosis, a prescription, or a promise of outcome. If you have sudden, severe or unexplained symptoms — including chest pain, unexplained weight loss, night pain, bowel or bladder changes, or a new neurological problem — seek urgent medical advice (NHS 111 or 999). UK osteopaths are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council. Counsellors named here are BACP-registered where stated. Always check with your GP or insurer if you are unsure whether a treatment is appropriate for you.
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