Sports therapy

Sports therapists help sport and exercise participants prevent, recognise and manage injuries; empowering everyone to achieve their full sporting potential.

Sports therapists have a wide range of skills. Drawing on the core principles of sport and exercise core, sports therapy primarily deals with prevention of injury and rehabilitation. Sports therapists respond immediately to injuries, can assess, treat and refer for specialist advice, give remedial sport massages and plan rehabilitation programmes.

At Essex, our sports therapy students work as a supervised sports therapist on placement, gaining real-life experience and confidence using the skills and knowledge taught to become an autonomous practitioner. You will also develop a range of treatment options including electrotherapy, exercise and manual skills.

In your first few weeks you complete a first aid qualification, and then go onto provide pitch-side first aid for all SU sport teams. In your second year, you can provide post-race massages and support at numerous sporting events such as the London Marathon and Ride London. And in your final year, you work in our Sports Therapy Clinic; assessing, treating and prescribing rehabilitation programmes to real clients. Practical experience is essential, so we ensure you graduate ready for the professional world with a wealth of experience behind you.

Career opportunities range from working in a sports injury or clinic to working as a therapist for a sport clubs or sportsperson, both professional and amateur. Graduates are also eligible to register as a professional sports therapist with the Society of Sports Therapist.