Sports and athletes injury management
Sports injuries can get in the way of doing what you love, whether that is community sport, running, gym training, or simply staying active. Our team takes the time to understand your goals, the demands of your sport, and the reasons behind your injury.
Understanding sports injuries
Sports injuries occur when the load placed on the body exceeds your current capacity to recover. This may be due to a sudden event, such as a sprain or impact, or may build gradually through overuse, strength imbalances, or technique issues.
At Active Health Riverina we look beyond the injury itself. Our clinicians assess contributing factors such as training load, movement quality, muscle strength, biomechanics, and recovery habits. By uncovering the why behind your injury, we can guide you through a rehabilitation plan that is clear, practical, and tailored to your sport.
Treatments and recovery pathway
Your rehabilitation is guided by our multi-phase model — from early pain relief to full return to play. Each stage is evidence-based and adapted to your sport and goals.Our approach may include:
- Detailed assessment using AxIT & VALD technology
- Hands-on physiotherapy for pain and mobility
- Strength and conditioning via our Active Tool Kit
- Sport-specific retraining and load management
- Movement analysis for running, jumping, or change-of-direction
- Return-to-play testing and data-driven progression
Our goal is simple: help you recover stronger and reduce your risk of future injury.
Injury prevention and performance optimisation
You do not need to be injured to benefit from seeing us. Many athletes visit Active Health Riverina to stay ahead of injuries, improve movement efficiency, or enhance on-field performance.
Injury prevention programs
We develop customised programs for your sport, age, and goals, focusing on proper warm-up, load management, and stability training. These programs reduce injury risk and help you perform with confidence throughout the season.
Netball Australia’s KNEE program
Knees and ankles are the most commonly injured body parts for netballers, often from awkward landings. Active Health Riverina’s Paul Heffernan is a Nationally Endorsed Provider of Netball Australia’s KNEE Program — a courtside warm-up that teaches safe, efficient landing and movement techniques.The program has been shown to reduce ACL and lower-limb injuries by 40–70 percent and improve movement efficiency on court.
Learn More About the KNEE Program →
Specialised sports assessments
Running assessment
Running is not harmful — poor mechanics are. Our clinicians conduct a comprehensive lower-limb biomechanical analysis to identify strength imbalances, gait inefficiencies, and technique issues. We then prescribe targeted exercises and cue adjustments to reduce injury risk and improve performance.
Wakeboarding injury prevention & rehabilitation
Wakeboarding demands strength, stability, and control. We offer tailored exercise programs to improve technique, reduce injury risk, and guide recovery after injury. Where appropriate, we can also recommend custom knee braces designed for use during wakeboarding to support return to sport.
Dance / pre-pointe assessments
Preparing to dance en pointe is an exciting milestone. Our detailed Pre-Pointe Assessments help determine readiness for pointe work by evaluating strength, flexibility, and balance. We design specific conditioning exercises to support safe progression and prevent potential injuries, ensuring each dancer is ready for the demands of pointe training.
Common sports injuries we treat
- Muscle strains and tendon injuries
- Ligament sprains (ankle, knee, shoulder)
- Overuse and repetitive strain injuries
- Stress fractures and bone stress
- Hip, back, and shoulder pain from sport
- Post-surgical rehabilitation and return-to-play testing
Our physiotherapists and exercise physiologists support athletes of all levels — from school sport to elite competition — across Wagga Wagga and the wider Riverina region.
Our Practitioners with a special interest in Sports Injuries
Book Your Appointment
Take the first step towards moving better and feeling stronger. Book online or contact us direct to schedule your initial consultation.
