Gymnastics: Injury Risk, Recovery, & the Power of Sports Massage Therapy

Gymnastics is a high-risk sport that demands exceptional strength, flexibility and precision. As a result, it has one of the highest injury rates due to the intense demands placed on the entire body. In fact, it is one of the sports with the highest injury rates for girls.

Predominant injuries occur to the joints due to extreme pressure exerted on them. Injuries consist of stretched or torn ligaments and/or tendons, strained muscles, and broken bones. Stress fractures can occur in the spine and other bones.

Early management of injuries is crucial in preventing re-injury and exacerbation of the current injury. Re-injury is a common issue in gymnastics. While injuries can be treated, the high-impact nature of gymnastics, particularly during competition training, necessitates additional measures outside the training facility to prevent as many injuries as possible and to ensure the least amount of future chronic pain.

Regular Sports Massage, Chiropractic care, and Functional Movement Assessments all work together to support  musculoskeletal balance. This helps gymnasts to perform at optimal levels by minimizing the risk of injury. “Dealing with” the pain while continuing to train without adequate treatment is a recipe for disaster further down the line. 

Women and Men's Gymnast's Competitive Lifespan depends on factors like discipline, level, and injury history. Many elite female gymnasts retire before their mid 20's and the men from mid to late 20's. 

Injury prevention, recovery and addressing minor injuries early before they become chronic can all help extend a gymnast's career. Regular Corrective Bodywork Massage helps with all of this!