Mind and Body (I) – Psychological Factors for Sports Injury Rehabilitation

In the past much of our efforts to rehabilitate an injured athlete focused on the physical causes and their treatment options. It leaves out much of the psychological dimensions of the injury and its rehabilitation. Today, psychological factors increasingly plays an important role in rehabilitation, particularly for sports where there are greater time pressures to return the athlete to optimal peak peformance as quickly as posisble. There are five key psychological factors – goal-setting, imagery, positive self-talk, relaxation and social support – that play an integral role in the recovery process.

Goal Setting

Of the five factors, goal-setting is the most first important in that it must first be established clearly and be in place before hand. The remaining four factors are important in that they aid goal attainment.

Studies have shown that injured athletes using goal-setting exhibit greater performance improvement than those not using goal-setting.

Imagery

Mental imagery is the process of using the imagination to rehearse, imagine or replay situations int he “theater of the mind”.

Positive-healing and/or sports performance imagery has shown to be correlated to faster recovery times. Unsurprisingly, negative imagery has the opposite effect. Examples of negative imagery includes replaying the injury scene excessively.

Positive Self-talk

Positive self-talk is the process by which the athlete’s negative thoughts are redicted into positive, task-oriented thoughts and affirmations. Many athletes have the tendency to dwell on negative or irrational thoughts and beliefs about themselves, their injury, or their return to performance. Following injury, positive self-talk techniques are useful to help counteract the problem of low self-condifence in athletes.

Relaxation

Relaxation training is a psychological tool that is recommended for use with injured athletes during rehabilitation in conjuction with the other techniques to relieve pain and stress. Staying loose and relaxed facilitates recovery.

Social Support

Social support systems for athletes include family and friends, and relationships with team-mates, coaches, and the therapists. Social support is believe to be effective in helping the athlete make a better appraisal of their situation (towards a positive imagery) and through the emotional adjustment process.

In the next article in this series, Mind and Body (II) – Mental Goals for Sports Injury Rehabilitation , we will have a look at goal setting in greater detail.

Adapted from a technical paper contributed by Poh Yu Khing, a sports and performance psychologist. Poh Yu Khing was formerly the Head of Sport Psychology at the Singapore Sports Council. An ex-national badminton player, he has also taken part in small endurance events such as the half-marathon and mini-triathlons. In his spare time outside of his day job, he enjoys consulting with athletes and performers as a freelance sports & performance psychologist. He was also the author of a regular “Golfing Mind” column in the local GOLF magazine.

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Core Concepts - Physiotherapy Clinic in Singapore

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I went in when i felt a sharp pain in my back that traveled to my left leg. For my first session with Slyvia, she asked me about my nature of the pain i felt and asked me to bend over. Immediately she could tell me what was causing the pain and that it was a small issue, easily fixed over a couple of sessions. There after she massaged the affected area to relieve the tension that was causing the pain. All this was done within a 30min session! After the first session my back was already alot better and i did not feel anymore sharp pain. Slyvia arranged additional massage therapy sessions that she felt i needed. The massage sessions were really good. For 1 hr they are able to get in the problematic areas i never knew i had issues with and massage all the tension out. I felt super relaxed after each session.Slyvia also arranged pilates sessions for me with Rohini to help me with how i was not bending down properly like i should, which was the reason why i felt pain as i was hinging from a particular spot on my back. Rohini was also aware that i have diastasis recti and focused on helping me build up a stronger core which also in turn helps my back. With each sessions it created a greater awareness of my own body and the bad habits that it has. Rohini also gave great advices when i told her i wanted to strengthen my upper back.Everyone in Core Concepts knows exactly what they are doing. It was such a great experience and different services work together brilliantly to help me heal and function properly.

Grace Lim Ci En

Very professional and caring Therapists. My left foot has been hurting for a month. After 3 sessions, 80% of the pain is gone. I just need one more session and I think I should be fine. Thank you very much.

Theressa Lim

I had an excellent sports massage by Wan Ling, which was very different from the usual massage I've tried elsewhere. Wan Ling skillfully and systematically loosened every muscle in my upper back and neck over the course of an hour. If anyone is seeking relief from tense muscles, I would highly recommend making an appointment with Wan Ling.

Rebecca Lim

Came to see Xue Ting with a broken shoulder for the last 6 weeks and was impressed with her attentiveness and ability to make me feel me feel comforted in my condition . Very dedicated and good therapist indeed .

Janet Koh

They adopt a scientific and personal approach. The therapists put in a lot of effort to diagnose the issue before attending to it. Overall, I would strongly recommend their professionalism and methods.

Varun Sharma

Really good sports massage! Booking process was efficient too :)

Charmaine Miranda

Friendly and really professional service! I immediately felt welcomed the moment I stepped into the clinic! The physio offered me great advice beyond what I had asked, which allowed me to have a deeper understanding as to why I had my issue in the first place. With this kind of service, I would honestly recommend this physio if you are serious about getting better.

Jimmy Allen Poh

Thoughtful and sincere service. Highly recommended!

Benedict Koh

My mum received her first Apos treatment. We intend to continue until her hip muscles become strong. We believe in the treatment as we saw how amazing it was. The idea was simple. Really love that she can be herself again, for long term. The hip and knee cap operations offers 15yrs. Hence we reject the cost and short-life. My wish is that the treatment cost can be lowered and more are aware of this treatment. God bless and thank you team.

Victoria Soh

Look for Soo, he is a great physiotherapist . Always communicating and always asking for my feedback. I’m on the right path to recovery all thanks to Soo. Two thumbs up.

Daniel Wang

Xue Ting has been working on my troublesome QL, hip girdle - basically the whole left lower kinetic chain! She has been patient, strong and cerebral in her approach to my 48 year old compensatory mechanisms. Her strong massage will finish with an assessment of muscle imbalance and poor activation with finally a retraining back to healthy movement.I’m impressed! Thanks Core Concepts!

Brett McLaren

I went from barely understanding physical therapy for injuries, to highly recommending Core Concepts to friends and family for their aches and pains. Ken was knowledgeable, patient and explained symptoms and consequences in a simple, relatable manner. I hope more people will come to understand how physio is a much better alternative to short-term painkillers.

Manda Misso

Ken is really amazing!

Terry Tan

The physiotherapist here explained the problem very well and provided me with exercises that helped improved my condition.

Ferdinand Mar

I have been experiencing great pain on my shoulder coupled with occasional numbness on my arm. Thanks to Ken Liew, I felt so much relieved after my first session. He was very patient and knowledgeable and had definitely made my 1st visit to a physiotherapy clinic a very memorable one. Thank you so much Ken

Bee Choo Gian

I have been experiencing knee pains lately especially walking up and down the stairs. The pain was so bad that I was very concern. I chanced upon CoreConcept on FB and book an appointment with them at Camden Medical Centre. My therapist was Ken Liew, he is very professional and knowledgeable. He did a thorough job to assess my condition. To my surprise I felt immediate relieved on my knee after the first session with him! Amazing! Looking forward to my next session. 😊

Sandy Toh CH

Hi I am Sally and I am in my late sixties. I have endured a year of thigh(joint) pains and thought that it must be due to old age. Visited Core Concepts at Novena and after only 2 sessions, my condition improved so much that I was able to climb stairs easily again. THANKS to my Physiotherapist Samuel Ong who is extremely polite, professional and knowledgeable.

Shino Tutu

I have had several sports related injuries and Core Concepts has saved me and put me "back to new" each times! The therapists are excellent - knowledgeable and professional, and the receptionists (Carol, Adiqah and Rin) are always friendly and helpful. They even give me oreo cookies for my children! :)

Paola Venturini Hubert

A very friendly and professional physiotherapist as well as receptionist within the clinic. Jordan Cave is very patient to help my right knee to recover.

Hedy Yeo

Highly recommended for sports massage

Simon Ray

Extremely friendly staff and therapists! Folks Novena Square are just simply smiley and happy. Coming here towards the end of the work day always brings up my mood. Therapist and coach are fabulous. My condition improve so much that I can even start to train up some of my predominately unrealized problems. Highly recommended!

Von Ling Wei Hao

I go to Novena and Cheryl is my therapist. She was upfront from the get go about my neck condition. I liked her honesty and said we'll give it a try. I was better after 4 weekly sessions and continued to go to her every 2 weeks. With her help I am in a better condition, had to put in effort on the exercises she taught me as well.

Tania Chevrez

Li Hoong is a very dedicated sports massage therapist and functional trainer. Her ultimate goal is the client's holistic well-being. Highly recommend.

Pei Yee Wong

i have tried different physiotherapy sessions with almost 10 physiotherapists in india and in Singapore, my back pain was treated well by CHERYLL, with God's grace , i was pain free only after Cheryll attended to me. Thank you Cheryll and core concepts for the great experience.

Madiha Sadiq

I am working with Yiren on my knee after my ACL/MCL reconstruction and recovery has been good! He does a thorough job to assess my progress each session and challenges me to push myself to get to various milestones. He's extremely friendly and helpful despite my many questions. Thanks!

Yingling Huang

After many different physio and massage sessions in different places, my experience with the core concepts team has been the best. I started seeing them for sports massage, and now for my knee rehab. The level of care and attention makes me want to do more for myself. Isn't this most important when one tend to slack off with the prescribed exercises?

YitKoon Gan

Very friendly and professional physiotherapist as well as receptionists within the clinic. Dr. Issac Wong is easy to approach and came up with alternative ways for me to strengthen my weak thigh muscles and it really helped in reducing my knee pain! Thanks :)

Sam Costanza

The best physiotherapist ever. Cheryl is really good. Doesn't shortchange me of time and make sure I feel better before she lets me go. The front desk staff are great too. Very accomodating and friendly. Thank you Carol and Farrah. Only thing if they can give instructions to how to go to their place will be great. Usually only unit number but do give some details like mrt exits and directions to lift and such will be excellent. Coz I almost got lost in 2 different places. Overall still love core concept because of Cheryl! Thank you Cheryl!!

Jeanette Goh

Found out about Core Concepts last year through social media and made an appointment as i was experiencing some neck and shoulder discomfort after a traffic accident. My therapist was evidently experienced and was able to pinpoint the cause of my aches. The one thing i loved about my experience at Core Concepts is that they are not like typical physiotherapists who simply prescribe take home exercises, instead my therapist was extremely hands on, helping me to massage my neck at the right spots to relief the stiffness - best massage ever! Would highly recommend Core Concepts!!

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Easily the best physio clinic I've been to.

Natarajan Baradwaj

The only physio clinic i trust! A unique approach to treating pains, you simply have to try it out for yourself. Have recommended many friends and family and core concepts has not disappointed. Thumbs up!!!

Claire Chia

From the reception to the therapist, they are friendly and nice. I was taught on a 2 steps stretching to strengthen my leg muscles that I can do it myself daily and It did help :) Will recommend to anyone who wish to have therapy sessions.

Jaz

Knowledgeable and brilliant!

Brenda Chong

-emails with advertisement and birthday wishes came, but they didn't think that their customer (with 4/10 sessions remaining in his package) would have expected a reminder of ANY kind if his package was already expiring. I asked the clerk from my last visit how many sessions I had remaining, and she told me 4, with no update on the expiry at all. -assumed I wanted a physiotherapy (PT) appointment when my past SMS have always been for sports massage (SM); whenever I asked for "available slots", they would give me the slots for SM. yet they suddenly gave me the list of available slots for PT ytd. I'm also to blame for not verifying and reading their long SMS carefully.-their masseuse is very good though, skilful and respectful. They ask important questions to understand their client before starting on the SM. I'd still return even though the administrative process is lacking.

Beale Liu JieXiong

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