Returning to Rugby after injury

Sports Therapist Janice Clook says it is important for rugby and league team coaches to ensure any injuries suffered by their players are properly managed.
It is not enough to leave players to sort out their own problems out with their Doctors.
Clook applies two recognized player management systems called “League Smart” and “Rugby Ready.”
Rugby Ready is an International Rugby Board product intended as a tool to assist in the care and management of injured players. It does not displace the benefit of having suitably qualified personnel available to treat injuries.
Basically, the Rugby Ready system is a series of checks to ensure a player’s injuries are managed properly before the player is considered “rugby ready.”
Under injury management the three most important things are identification of the injury, rehabilitation and return to playing the game.
It is very important players are adequately rehabilitated before returning to sport. If they are not, the injury can become much worse.
The aim of rehabilitation is to restore the player to full fitness, which includes; recovery of muscle strength, restoration of a full range of movement in the joint, recovery of coordination and balance, fitness maintained by exercises such as cycling and swimming, when ready-gradual introduction of rugby specific skills and contact drills followed by full contact. If all these are achieved, a player can return to play. Supervision should be by appropriately trained medical staff, doctors, Physios and fitness advisors.
Concussion
A player who shows signs of concussion must not be allowed to continue or to return to the game. The player should be evaluated by a medical doctor.
Symptoms of concussion may include the following; loss of consciousness, loss of memory, confusion or disorientation, double or blurred vision, slurred speech, giddiness or unsteadiness, vomiting and headache.
It must be remembered each incident must be assessed on its individual merits and characteristics.
IRB rules said Clook require a minimum stand down period from playing or training of three weeks from the time of the injury. Any return to the game must be after a proper medical examination. Any clearance to return to the game earlier than three weeks must be given by a recognized Neurological Specialist after an appropriate assessment. In age grade rugby the three week minimum is mandatory.
Clook says all players should be given information on concussion especially the signs to watch out for in the first 24-48 hours.
Sports Medic Training Course
Clook invites those interested in doing a sports medic training course to contact her on ph 28833 or ph 56476

Janice Clook runs the “Are Meitaki Natural Therapy Clinic” has been helping senior sports people prepare for training and assisting with their conditioning and injuries during the sporting season. More recently her focus has been on Rugby and League and especially for the Arorangi Bears and Cowboys senior teams. Her aim is to improve men’s physical health, mental focus and sportsmanship. She is the only person providing such a sports fitness service -By Charles Pitt

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