Knee, hip and foot pain are common injuries caused by Lawn Bowls. Lawn bowls is a very common game played across Australia, with statistics showing over 500,000 Australian’s will play lawn bowls every year. Lawn bowls is a great way for people to develop their skills, coordination and fitness. As we all know – it is very important to remain fit, active and social as we grow into our wiser years.
At Elite Foot Care we will often have patients coming in with bowls-related injuries. The most common injuries we see as a result of lawn bowls include:
- Niggling hip injuries (hip bursitis or tendinopathy)
- Knee pain (ligament strains or arthritis-related pain)
- Heel and arch pain (heel bursitis or plantar fasciitis)
- Forefoot pain (neuroma or bursitis)
- Lower back pain
How can we reduce our risk of bowls related injuries?
- Warm up and stretch before play to improve joint range of motion, promote elasticity of tendons and ligaments and prevent muscular strain.
- Wearing appropriate footwear and support: Not all feet are the same. Make sure your shoes are well suited for what you need – and most of all, are comfortable!
- Undertake balance training and exercises to strengthen the lower extremities, back and neck, to help prevent falls.
- Technique is key. Talk to fellow bowlers or coaches and ensure you’re not placing unnecessary strain on muscles and tendons.
- Cool down after play to prevent stiffness and cardiovascular complications. Yes a nice cold beverage is always needed – however make sure you spend some time gently stretching your muscles.
How can Elite Foot Care help with your pain?
Our team are qualified in managing high-level musculoskeletal injuries from the hip to the big toe. Elite Foot Care is fitted with high performance technology which can be utilised to assess your force production and strength of all muscles of the lower limb.
Patient education is valued highly within our clinic, as we prioritise all patients leaving our clinic with a strong understanding of the issue and how we will best manage the condition.
Our podiatrists utilise treatments including:
- Shockwave therapy – regenerating tendon and muscle injuries
- Custom foot orthotics – redistribute pressure and offload the soft tissue which is overloaded
- Dry needing and mobilisation – reduce muscle tension with hands on treatment
- Exercise therapy – provide tailored exercise programs to ensure your injury does not return
Our podiatrists are well educated in the physical requirements of lawn bowls and are well-suited to help you with any niggles you have acquired.
If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please telephone us on (07) 5328 3588 and one of our friendly team will assist you as best the can.
