Sports injuries and RSI treatment in Hilversum

Runners on the heath, cyclists in the woods, hockey and tennis players, padel, fitness, and thousands of people behind a screen at the Media Park: every week we treat the injuries that come with moving a lot, and the complaints that come with moving too little. Chiropractors and physiotherapists in one team, with ultrasound, shockwave and a medical fitness centre under one roof.

Sports injuries: find the weak link

Most sports injuries are not bad luck. Somewhere in the chain a link is weaker than the load demands: a hip that lacks rotation for the golf swing, a stiff upper back that makes the tennis serve pull on the lower back, a weak gluteal muscle that lets the knee collapse inward when running, an ankle that never fully recovered from a sprain. The painful spot is where the compensation ends up, not always where the problem starts. That is why we examine the whole chain and not only the injury.

We see the classic injuries every week: runner’s knee and shin splints, Achilles and hamstring tendon problems, hip and groin pain in footballers and hockey players, tennis elbow and shoulder problems in racket sports, lower back pain in golfers and cyclists, and the strains and sprains of fitness and HIIT classes. Treatment combines the chiropractor for joints, pelvis and spine, the physiotherapist for tendons, muscles and rehabilitation, and a return to sport programme that gets you back without a relapse. See also hip and knee pain and shoulder pain.

RSI: the injury of sitting still

RSI, repetitive strain injury, now also called CANS (complaints of arm, neck and shoulder), comes from doing the same small movement for hours: mouse and keyboard, phone, editing software. The load is light, but it is always the same muscles and joints, and they never get the recovery they need. The blood flow slows, the tissue becomes irritated, and after months every small movement hurts.

Typical complaints: pain, tingling, cold or heavy feeling in the forearm, wrist or hand; mouse arm; tennis or golfer’s elbow; gamer’s thumb; stiff neck and pain between the shoulder blades. Hilversum, with its media industry and many home workers, has more than its share. Treatment works, but only together with changes in posture, workplace and habits.

What we treat

Tendon injuries

Cyclist near Hilversum, sports injuries treated at MoveWell

Achilles, patellar, hamstring, gluteal and rotator cuff tendons, tennis and golfer’s elbow. Diagnosed with ultrasound, treated with load management, shockwave, dry needling and a progressive strength programme. Tendons heal slowly but reliably when loaded correctly.

Joint and spine problems in sport

Exercise for RSI and shoulder complaints from screen work

Lower back pain in golfers, cyclists and rowers, a stiff upper back in swimmers and tennis players, pelvis and SI joint problems in runners, ankle and foot stiffness after sprains. The chiropractor restores the movement; see back pain and chiropractic care.

RSI and desk complaints

Sports massage and treatment of the back at MoveWell

Mouse arm, wrist and hand pain, neck and shoulder blade pain from screen work, headache at the end of the day. Treatment of the neck, upper back, shoulder and forearm, nerve mobilisation, workplace advice and strength exercises. Related: neck pain and headaches.

Prevention is part of the treatment

Treating the injury is half the work. The other half is finding why it happened and making sure it does not return: training load that increased too fast, a technique that overloads one joint, shoes, a workplace that forces a bad posture, too little strength or sleep. We measure, we advise, and in our medical fitness centre you can build the capacity your sport or your work demands, with supervision.

How we treat sports injuries and RSI

Examination and ultrasound

Supervised strength training in the MoveWell medical fitness centre

Movement, strength and stability of the whole chain, a look at your sport technique or your workplace, nerve tests, and a diagnostic ultrasound of tendons, muscles and ligaments where useful. Diagnosis and plan in the first visit.

Treatment

Physiotherapist treating a tendon injury

Mobilisation and adjustments by the chiropractor; muscle techniques, dry needling, shockwave, taping and sports massage by the physiotherapist; nerve mobilisation and ergonomic advice for RSI.

Return to sport and work

Core training for return to sport

A progressive programme with measurable steps, rehabilitation equipment that shows your progress, a plan for your training load, and a medical fitness centre to continue in once you are back.

Why MoveWell for sport and RSI

Sports experience

Poor posture at the screen causing neck pain and RSI

Physiotherapists with a sports background and a medical fitness centre, used by recreational athletes and competitive players from the Gooi region.

Direct access, fast

MoveWell practice in Medisch Centrum Dudokpark

No referral needed, acute complaints usually within 24 hours, open until 21:00 on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Dutch supplementary insurance reimburses chiropractic, no deductible.

Everything under one roof

EGYM equipment in the MoveWell fitness centre

Chiropractor, physiotherapist, ultrasound, shockwave and training in one building, so diagnosis and rehabilitation do not wait for each other.

Our specialists for sports injuries and RSI

Frequently asked questions about sports injuries and RSI

Should I see a chiropractor or a physiotherapist for a sports injury?

For tendon and muscle injuries and rehabilitation the physiotherapist usually leads; for joint, pelvis and spine problems the chiropractor. At MoveWell you book once and we decide together after the examination; often both are involved.

How long does a tendon injury take to heal?

Tendons heal slowly: six to twelve weeks for most, longer for chronic cases. The key is correct loading from the start. With a structured programme most athletes are back in sport within two to three months.

Can I keep training with an injury?

Usually yes, adapted. We tell you what to avoid for now and what to keep doing, because complete rest loses fitness and strength you need for recovery. Cross training, such as cycling or swimming for a runner, keeps you fit while the injury heals.

Is RSI treatable, or do I just need a better chair?

Both. Treatment of the irritated tissue, the neck and the shoulder brings relief within weeks; a better workplace, breaks and strength exercises keep it away. One without the other usually fails. We help with both, including advice for your home office.

Do you offer sports massage?

Yes, our physiotherapists provide sports massage and treatment of muscle tension as part of a plan or as a separate session.

Is sports physiotherapy reimbursed?

Physiotherapy and chiropractic are reimbursed from Dutch supplementary insurance without deductible. Ultrasound and shockwave are small surcharges. International insurers usually reimburse; you get an itemised invoice in English.

Do you treat children and teenagers with sports injuries?

Yes. Growing athletes have their own injuries, such as growing pains at the knee and heel, and need a different approach to load. Our paediatric physiotherapist and chiropractors see young hockey, football and tennis players every week.

Can you help me prevent injuries before the season starts?

Yes. A preseason check of mobility, strength and stability shows the weak links before they become injuries, and a short programme fixes them. Many clubs and teams in the Gooi region use this.

Sports injuries and RSI treatment for Hilversum and the Gooi region

MoveWell, Hoge Naarderweg 3E, Hilversum, in Medisch Centrum Dudokpark. Patients from Bussum, Laren, Naarden, Huizen, Loosdrecht, Baarn, Weesp and Almere, 25 minutes by train from Amsterdam and Utrecht. Move well, feel better!

Would you like to get back to sport or work without pain?