Injuries can hit any one of us at any point, however, it depends on our own rehabilitation journey and determination. If you’re willing to complete the prescribed exercises given from your physiotherapist to get you back into routine faster, you’ll succeed.
At Progressive, we commonly use the GameReady Med 4 Elite injury recovery system to fast track our client’s current injury in their acute stages. It is proven to enhance the initial recovery process and is especially beneficial post-surgery. However, patients can benefit from the GameReady throughout any stage of their injury rehabilitation journey.
At Progressive, we often see clients that have suffered an ‘acute’ injury – which is from a single trauma event. Acute injury examples are:
These can be seen in injuries to hands, knees, ankles etc.
SO, WHAT DOES THE GAME READY ACTUALLY DO?
The use of cold and compression therapy:
Having cold therapy on any injured site promotes ‘Vasoconstriction” (meaning it reduces blood flow, reduces inflammation/swelling to the injured site). Cold therapy is also proven to reduce the occurrence of muscle spasms and imbalances that may be felt.
The combination of heat therapy:
Heat therapy is important in conjunction with ‘cold therapy’ which is what makes the GameReady a more unique product to get you back into your routine post-injury. Heat therapy simply promotes vasodilation (simply the dilution of blood vessels, to decrease the amount of blood pressure experienced). Due to this, it increases circulation to the injured site which works to support the lymphatic system – reducing pain and stiffness in the injured site.
Contrast therapy (CT):
Contrast Therapy (CT) is another key element to what makes the GameReady a highly rated post-injury/surgery rehab equipment to use. Contrast therapy involves opening and constricting of the vascular system, which promotes an increase in blood flow to the injured area. This is a good sign – as it doesn’t cause accumulation of added swelling to the injured site. CT also involves the use of being immersed in hot and then immediately cold temperatures, which actively works to improve circulation around the injured site.
Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Therapy:
Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Therapy is a special technique that involves the use of an air pump and inflatable auxiliary sleeves, gloves or boot – the visual of this product is what most of our clients think of when we discuss the GameReady! It’s what most clients think of when we discuss the GameReady! The use of this feature is to provide an even distribution of pressure around the injured site. The best thing about this feature of the GameReady is it reduces the amount of space available for swelling to build up.
The next time your physiotherapist recommends to put you on the GameReady, know that you’re one step closer to being injury-free and completing your injury rehabilitation journey.
At Progressive Sports and Spinal Physiotherapy Penrith, we are able to assess, treat, educate and manage all musculoskeletal injuries. We focus on hands-on treatment, exercise prescription and self management techniques tailored to your specific needs. We utilise evidence based treatments to maximise your outcomes.
USEFUL LINKS
CONTACT US
Elin, is an alumni of St. Edward’s University and holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, furthered her academic journey by attaining a Doctor of Physiotherapy from Macquarie University in 2022.
Her passion for sports, particularly football (soccer), is evident in both her academic pursuits and personal endeavors. Specialising in the comprehensive well-being of athletes, Elin focuses on restoring them to peak performance while actively preventing future injuries.
Elin’s professional expertise is centered on musculoskeletal rehabilitation, with a specific emphasis on addressing and preventing knee injuries. Her approach integrates expert treatment with a commitment to educating and empowering patients, fostering their active involvement in enhancing their health and overall quality of life.
As an active participant in NPL football with SD Raiders, Elin brings firsthand experience and a profound understanding of the sport’s demands. Beyond the field, she extends her influence by contributing sports coverage over the weekends.
Christopher (Chris) Han graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy, and then completed the Doctor of Physiotherapy program at Macquarie University in 2018. Chris is currently undertaking his PhD at the University of Sydney and Institute for Musculoskeletal Health in the field of low back pain and is due to complete this in early 2024.
Chris is currently an assistant Physiotherapist for the NRL Referees. Chris has previous experience as the head Physiotherapist at Panthers Premier League Netball and a number of elite sporting athletes in the private setting.
Through Chris’ experiences, he has a particular interest in all areas of the body and musculoskeletal physiotherapy, sports, vestibular rehabilitation, and Men’s Health (pre and post prostate surgery).
Suzanne graduated from Western Sydney University with a Bachelor of Health Science (Sports and Exercise Science) in 2015. She then went on to continue her studies at Macquarie University graduating from the Doctor of Physiotherapy post-graduate degree in June 2019.
Since graduating, Suzanne has worked in the local Penrith area in both private practice and Sports Physiotherapy. Suzanne has worked with sporting teams including Penrith District Netball Association, Mt Druitt Rangers (NPL), Penrith Valley Figure Skating Club, and local dance and cheer schools.
Suzanne has a particular interest in working with artistic athletes including cheerleaders and dancers. She has a professional background in both cheer and dance and has previously worked as both a cheer coach and dance teacher. Suzanne’s previous experiences are an invaluable resource to her as a physiotherapist, as she has a thorough understanding of the level of physical fitness and skill acquisition that these athletes must have in order to be successful on stage and in competition.
Suzanne’s other areas of clinical interest reside in lower limb musculoskeletal injuries, spinal pathologies and women’s health.
Nathanial graduated as a physiotherapist in 2012 which saw him work in private practice and hospital settings gaining experience in all areas of physiotherapy including hand therapy, splinting/casting, pre/post-operative care, Men’s Health and general musculoskeletal, occupational and sports physiotherapy. Since then he has gone on to complete further studies in physiotherapy enabling him to be the only dual titled Musculoskeletal, Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist in Penrith.
Nathanial has a strong background in sports physiotherapy achieving accreditation with NSWIS as a service provider and working with many elite sports teams.
Nathanial has a particular interest in working with elite athletes, complex cases and in particular assessment and management of knee, hip and shoulder pain.
Andrea graduated from the Australian Catholic University completing her Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science in 2018 and Master’s of Clinical Exercise Physiology in 2020. After graduating she attained accreditation with ESSA as an Exercise Physiologist.
During her studies she gained clinical experience in both hospital and private practice settings, in cardiac rehabilitation, neurological conditions, cancer and chronic musculoskeletal injuries.
Since working at Progressive, Andrea has a specialist interest in treating musculoskeletal injuries, helping people in the mid-late stage of rehab to get them to return to sport or work. As well as helping people manage chronic conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis and diabetes.