Treating injuries in young athletes with light therapy

• Apophyseal overload at the hip, groin and pelvis. In growing individuals, the apophysis is the area where tendons and ligaments attach to the bone. As we grow, much of the growth takes place in the region around the apophysis. During periods in which young individuals grow fast the apophyses are more susceptible to being overloaded. Many young athletes can therefore experience problems around the hip, groin, pelvis and lumbar spine towards the end of puberty (14-18 years).
• Stress fracture-stress reaction in the groin. Stress fractures occur as a result of recurrent, non-maximal, overloading. The muscles do not recover sufficiently, become exhausted and cannot dampen the loading they are exposed to. Common locations of stress fractures in the groin region are the femoral neck and the area around the pubic bone (os pubis). Stress fractures can occur at any age, but are very rare in children under the age of 10.
• Inflammation of the hip joint. Inflammation of the hip joint occurs often as an acute condition in children between 2 and 12 years old. This is the most common cause of hip pain (groin) in children under 10 and is more common in boys.
• Quadriceps rupture (muscle rupture of the muscle group at the front of the thigh). Quadriceps rupture is a relatively common overuse injury within athletics. It often occurs suddenly during sprints or jumps.
• Hamstring strain. Hamstring strain (muscle pull in the back of the thigh) is a relatively common overload injury in athletics. It often occurs suddenly when an athlete sprints or jumps. Hamstring strains are not as common among young athletes.
• Runner’s knee (iliotibial band syndrome – ITBS). Athletes that frequently run long distances can experience pain that is located on the outside of the knee.

• Jumper’s knee- Patella Tendinopathy. An overload injury in the tendon caused by intense sports. The symptoms usually develop gradually. Jumper’s knee is unusual in growing children but it can still occur. Jumper’s knee is more common among boys/young men who jump frequently.
• Chondromalacia Patellae/Anterior knee pain. An umbrella term for knee pain that occurs diffusely around the anterior (front) part of the knee joint/cap. This is more common in young girls.
• Mid portion Achilles pain. Achilles pain is a relatively common overuse injury seen in athletics.
• Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) – Shin splints. Common in young athletes. The cause is often overloading and this usually occurs when changing surfaces or training type, for example when you start training indoors in the autumn or start training with more hopping.
• Heel spur (plantar fascia pain). In some athletes repeated overloading, for example through running and jumping, can cause small ruptures in the tendon where the tendon attaches to the heel bone. If the initial pain is ignored and the overloading continues persistent pain can develop.
• Heel pad syndrome. Heel pads are located under the heel bone. These heel pads are primarily made up of fatty tissue and have a shock-absorbing function. However, with repeated loading, such as jumping, the heel pad can flatten out and its ability to absorb shock can deteriorate.
• Ankle sprain. Twisting an ankle is common in sports.
• Rotator cuff tear (shoulder stabilisers). In the young athlete, injuries/overloading to the rotator cuff usually occur as a result of repeated throwing above shoulder height, where the final phase of the throw stretches the surrounding muscles and ligaments. This can lead to an ‘imbalance’ in the joint.

BENEFITS OF USING THE PHOTIZO SPORT

Some of the benefits of using the Photizo Sport to help treat the pain associated with injuries in young athletes include:

• Reduces inflammation
• Increases blood circulation
• Boosts endorphin production
• Blocks pain transmitting chemicals
• Eases pain
• Non-invasive
• Pain-free
• Simple to operate
• Safe.