Sports & Gym Injuries

Whether you train at the gym, run, or play sport, injuries and niggles can get in the way of doing what you love. Some arrive suddenly with a strain or awkward landing, while others build up quietly from repeated load and creep into your training. At Bond Osteopathy in Glen Iris, we help active people understand their injury and work back towards full training, and most sport and gym complaints respond well to a clear, active plan.

What we commonly see

• Acute strains and sprains from training or sport
• Overuse and load-related injuries, including tendinopathy
• Recurring niggles that keep returning session after session
• Running injuries and runner’s knee
• Hip, knee and ankle plus shoulder and arm complaints
• Reduced strength, mobility or confidence, and return to sport after time off

What we assess

Your appointment starts with a thorough history: what happened, your training, load and recent changes, what makes it better or worse, and your goals. Then a physical assessment looks at the injured area and how the rest of your body is contributing to the load on it, including movement, strength and control. Where relevant, we include neurological checks (strength, reflexes and sensation) to understand what is driving your symptoms and to screen for anything that needs onward referral.

How we decide whether osteopathy is right for you

Osteopathy suits most mechanical sport and gym injuries, the kind that change with movement, load and position. Part of the assessment is checking for the small number of presentations that need a different pathway, such as a suspected fracture, a significant ligament or muscle rupture, or an injury that needs imaging or a specialist opinion (see “When to seek other care” below). If osteopathy is a good fit, we will explain why and what the plan looks like. If it is not, we will tell you honestly and help you find the right care.

What the first appointment involves

• A detailed history and a plain-English discussion of your injury
• A physical assessment of the injured area and the load around it, explained as we go
• A clear working diagnosis and what is likely driving it
• Hands-on treatment where appropriate, plus advice and exercises
• A plan you agree on together, with a sensible endpoint, not open-ended visits

Your first visit is a full initial consultation (around 60 minutes). Current fees and appointment lengths are shown when you book online.

Treatment options (and their limits)

Treatment is tailored to you and may include soft-tissue techniques, articulation and joint techniques, dry needling, cupping, and exercise rehabilitation. Hands-on care can help comfort and movement in the short term, but lasting results for sport and gym injuries usually come from the active side: graded loading, strength work and sensible load management as you build back towards full training. No technique is a guaranteed fix, and we are upfront about realistic timeframes. You are always in control, and nothing is done without your consent.

When to seek other care

Most training injuries are not serious. See your GP or urgent care promptly, rather than booking osteopathy first, if you have: an inability to bear weight or use the limb after an injury; a joint that looks deformed or out of place; rapid or severe swelling; a hot, swollen joint with fever or feeling unwell; a head knock with dizziness, confusion or vomiting; or numbness, pins and needles or weakness in the limb. These are uncommon, but they need prompt medical assessment.

Common questions

Do I need a referral? No. You can book directly. If you have a GP care plan or a WorkCover, TAC or DVA claim, see the FAQ for what to bring.

Do I need a scan? Often not for everyday training injuries. Where imaging would genuinely change your management, we will say so and help arrange the right referral.

How many sessions will I need? It depends on your presentation and goals, and we discuss it after your assessment. The aim is a clear plan with an endpoint.

Can I keep training while I recover? Often yes, with adjustments. We will help you work out what to modify and how to load safely, so you keep moving while the injury settles. See our guide on returning to running for how a staged return can look.

Written and reviewed by Dr James Beninati (Osteopath), Bachelor of Health Science, Bachelor of Applied Science (Osteopathy), AHPRA registered. Last reviewed September 2026. More about James.

General information, not personal health advice. Sources: Sports Medicine Australia on injury management and prevention; Better Health Channel on sports injuries.