Melbourne Sports Physio Team
Surf PhysioTHERAPY IN MELBOURNE for Common Surfing Injuries
Surfing is a popular water sport that has been growing rapidly in popularity, with more people in the water resulting in more injuries.
Although compared with other sports, surfing is relatively safe, contact with the surfboard, rocks, coral, or sand causes most injuries.
Surfing injuries can be minimised by being aware of its possible causes, familiarising yourself with surfing etiquette, and most importantly, conditioning your body and mind before riding the waves.
Common Surfing Injuries
Cuts, scrapes, and lacerations
These are the number one injury in surfing. These are caused by sharp fins, pointy surfboard noses, and sharp coral reef edges. In surfers, open wounds are usually found at the heel, ankle, knee and face.
The head and face make up for the vast majority of surf injuries.
Often these issues occur during the pop up motion.
Contusions / Bruises
Contusions with ones own surfboard come in a close second among most common surfing injuries after cuts, scrapes, and lacerations. The face is the major area for surf-related contusions.
Other than surfboards, the hard ocean floor also causes this type of injury.
It is more dangerous surfing over a reef bottom than a sandy bottom break.
Sprains and strains
Sprains and strains occur as a result of twists and turns upon the body, landing awkwardly or just generally overdoing it.
You may feel a sharp pain at first then eventually becomes an ache and can be restrictive in some cases.
Common in ankles, knees and shoulders
Fractures
Fractures can happen whilst surfing. These can be from the surfer hitting their own board ( just ask Tony, one of our physios about this), or by hitting the reef or another surfers board.
The head is the most common site, mostly involving the nose and teeth, and many ribs get broken. Fractures of the spine can occur but are more likely in big wave surfing or when surfing over reef.
If you're brave, google Andre Cottons back fracture while surfing Nazare!
Concussion
Concussion is becoming more recognised as a injury concern.
Whilst we know about the obvious concussions from huge wipe outs, its being acknowledge now that there is a cumulative effect from lots of mini wipe outs.
Concussion protocols are the same for other sports, so its best to consult your local surfing physiotherapist or sports doctor if you're dealing with a concussion injury from surfing.
How to Prevent Surfing Injuries in melbourne
To minimise surfing injuries, you should:
- Be prepared, check your level of fitness and competency against the conditions
- Be aware of your environment, plan entry and exit to the waves
- Know the surfing etiquette (Respect other surfer’s right of way, allow everyone to catch their share of waves, one surfer on a wave)
- Get stronger! Having more muscle power and endurance will help you catch more waves, and it also makes you more resilient to bumps, knocks and falls.
How Sports Physiotherapy Helps with surfing physio injuries and treatment
Like in any other sport, acute injuries should be managed with PRICE method (protection, rest, ice, compression, elevation). It is especially important to restore a full range of motion for injuries at the back, shoulder, knee, and ankle joints.
A surfing physiotherapist will help you in rehabilitating your body using methods specific to surfing and your individual needs. Your local surfing physiotherapist will assess your injury and provide you with an exercise program to get you back to surfing.
Your physiotherapist will work to improve your balance, flexibility, proprioception, and strength to optimise your performance and prevent further injury. Remember, better rehab equals less time out of the water.
Our experienced surf physiotherapy team have designed specific surf physio assessments and programs to help you get the most out of your upcoming trip, season or summer day session whilst keeping injuries at bay! Your physiotherapist may complete:
- An assessment of your strength, movement and areas of weakness.
- A rehabilitation program specific to you and your style of surfing incorporating, manual therapy as needed, stretching, strengthening and movement retraining.
- Detailed testing of your body movements to not only reduce injury, though enhance performance by testing your hips and ankles in particular
- A pilates assessment and an individually tailored program, if deemed necessary
- A program that focuses on maintenance and reduces overuse injuries from surfing related movements.
If you are interested in booking an appointment with a local Sports Physiotherapist with a special interest in Surfing Injuries, please book online here or call your nearest Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy clinic. For Surfing injuries, we have a number of physios who love surfing themselves, so can really help you improve your body so you can get back in water sooners, as they deeply understand the motions required for surfing.
Want to learn more about Online Courses to Fix Injured Surfers? Check out Surf.Physio.
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