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Sports injuries, anatomical illustration
Conditions we treat

Sports injury treatment in Christchurch

A sports injury can affect the sport you love. Whether it's a strain or sprain, pain that flares with training, an injury that keeps coming back, or being sidelined from your sport, we'll help you understand what's causing it, what's preventing recovery, and create a personalised plan to help you get back to training and competing.

ACC handled in-house No referral needed Same-day appointments often available

Common sports injury symptoms

Most people we see with a sports injury experience two or more of the symptoms below. If they sound familiar, a thorough assessment can help identify what's causing them and the best path to recovery.

The sooner you understand what's causing your sports injury, the sooner you can start recovering.

Book a sports injury consult

What's contributing to your sports injury?

A sports injury is rarely caused by one thing. We'll identify what's contributing to it, what's slowing your recovery and what needs to change to help you recover and reduce the chance of it returning.

  • 01 A sudden incident such as a fall, collision, twist, or awkward landing
  • 02 A spike in training load or returning to sport after time off
  • 03 Tendon overload from repeated high-intensity effort over time
  • 04 A muscle strain or tear in a high-demand area like your hamstring or calf
  • 05 A joint sprain leaving the area unstable or prone to re-injury
  • 06 An old injury that never fully healed, now recurring under load

The sooner you understand what is driving your sports injury, the sooner you can start recovering.

Book a sports injury consult

How we treat it

A clear path to recovery

Most sports injuries can be successfully treated. During your assessment, we'll identify what's contributing to your injury, what's preventing recovery, and create a personalised plan to help you recover and reduce the chance of it returning.

What we assess

  • The injured area: range of motion, strength, joint and tissue irritability
  • The wider chain (e.g., for a knee injury we also screen hip and ankle)
  • Training load history and the spike or incident that preceded the injury
  • Sport-specific movement demands (running, jumping, throwing, lifting)
  • Previous injury history and current capacity
01 Relieve

Settle the pain

Hands-on treatment to reduce pain, ease muscle tension, and restore movement in the injured area.

02 Rebuild

Restore movement and strength

Progressive strengthening and movement work matched to your sport's specific demands.

03 Prevent

Reduce future flare-ups

A graduated return-to-sport plan and load strategy to reduce the risk of re-injury when you're back competing.

Meet your care team

Every osteopath at Better Health Osteopathy is registered with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand and follows the same evidence-informed approach to assessment, treatment and rehabilitation. This page is clinically reviewed by Lorraine Herity, Clinic Director & Principal Osteopath.

Experienced osteopaths you can trust

Whoever you see, you will receive the same thorough assessment, hands-on treatment and personalised rehabilitation plan. We work as one team to help you recover as quickly and safely as possible.

  • Over 60,000 consultations
  • Helping Christchurch for over 10 years
  • Registered OCNZ osteopaths
  • ACC accredited
  • Same-day appointments often available

Real stories from Christchurch patients

There is no better measure of our care than the experiences of the people we have helped. Here is what Christchurch patients say about their recovery.

★★★★★
"I started at Better Health Osteopathy 3 weeks ago. Sam, on reception was exceptionally helpful, even calling one of the osteopath's out to answer my questions and putting my mind at ease. Ella, the osteopath assigned to me is amazing. I would totally recommend her and the practice."

Brian and Linda Cousins

★★★★★
"I’ve been seeing Lorraine for several years now and she is nothing short of a miracle worker. No matter what I walk in with - aches, pains or something that just feels “off” - she always knows exactly what to do and somehow gets my body back on track every single time. Beyond her incredible skill and knowledge, Lorraine is an absolute delight. She creates such a warm, welcoming environment and genuinely cares about her clients. You never feel rushed - she takes the time to listen, understand and treat the root of the problem. As both the clinic owner and manager, it’s clear she pours her heart into Better Health Osteopathy and it shows in every aspect of the experience. If you’re looking for someone you can truly trust with your body, Lorraine is the one. I wouldn’t go anywhere else!"

Stewart Wilson

★★★★★
"Such an awesome clinic. Fixed me every time and helps me to feel stronger and healthier as a result. Couldn’t recommend more. They are worth their weight in gold."

Mel Stopford

★★★★★
"Highly recommend. I have been seeing Lorraine at BHO for multiple years now including visits for both of my children as newborns. So handy to now have a second location on Colombo street! Beautiful, clean clinic and the staff are friendly as always. Overall a great experience and well worth it in my opinion."

Georgia Black

What to expect at your first appointment

Our goal is simple: give you answers, explain your options, and help you take the next step towards recovery.

30 minutes

Time to listen, assess and answer your questions.

Bring

Comfortable clothing, any scans, and your ACC details if it is an injury.

You will leave knowing

A clear understanding of what is causing your pain and your personalised recovery plan.

No referral needed

Book directly. We will take care of your ACC claim if needed.

  • What's causing my pain?
  • Why did it happen?
  • Why isn't it getting better?
  • Is anything else contributing?
  • What's the best path to recovery?

We will explain everything in plain English, answer your questions, and make sure you understand your treatment options before moving forward.

New here? See what to expect at your first visit , or see our fees .

Book your visit

Ready to get back to the life you love?

We will help you understand what is causing your pain and create a personalised plan to help you recover.

FAQs about sports injuries

What does an osteopath do for sports injuries?

We assess the injury and the wider chain (movement patterns, load history, training plan), then tailor hands-on treatment plus a progressive rehab plan back to your sport.

How soon can I get back to my sport?

It depends on the injury. Some let you train modified almost immediately; others need a structured progression over weeks. We'll be specific to your case at the first visit.

Should I rest a sports injury completely?

Usually not. Relative rest (modifying the irritators while staying active where safe) tends to outperform total rest for most musculoskeletal injuries.

Can you help with ACC?

Yes. We're an ACC-registered provider and handle claim registration in-house.

Do I need a scan?

Not always. Many sports injuries respond well without imaging. If a scan would change management (suspected meniscus tear, ligament rupture, etc.), we'll discuss options.

Will I get a return-to-sport plan?

Yes. The most reliable returns combine load progression, sport-specific drills, and clear criteria for each step up.

What you can do at home right now

Small, safe steps that usually help while you wait for your first appointment.

Reduce the aggravators short-term

Ease off what flares it, but don't shut down your training entirely.

Keep moving in unaffected areas

Cross-training preserves fitness while the injury settles.

Strengthen progressively

Load tolerance is built, not waited for.

Pay attention to recovery

Sleep, hydration, and nutrition matter more under training stress.

When to seek urgent care

Some signs need same-day attention

These are uncommon, but if any apply, do not wait for an appointment.

Call us now 0800 67 77 00

If symptoms are severe or sudden, seek urgent medical care or call 111.

  • Inability to weight-bear or use the limb after injury
  • Visible deformity, suspected fracture, or significant rapid swelling
  • Marked or worsening neurological symptoms (numbness, weakness)
  • Severe head impact with loss of consciousness, persistent dizziness, or confusion (concussion screening required)
  • Severe redness or heat with fever (possible infection in a wound)

Care tailored to people like you

Sports injuries shows up differently depending on your life and work. Explore the care built for your situation.