Sports Injuries That We Assess & Treat

Springwood Sports Health in Springwood, QLD, provides clinical assessment and treatment for a broad range of musculoskeletal and sports-related conditions. Howard Arbuthnot draws on over 35 years of private practice experience, including extensive work in elite sport at six Olympic Games and across professional sporting codes, to develop genuinely individualised treatment plans for each patient who presents at our clinic.

Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common and often most debilitating musculoskeletal complaints and can arise from a wide range of causes, including muscle strain, disc injury, facet joint dysfunction, or postural overload accumulated over time. Howard assesses each case individually to identify the likely source of pain and the contributing factors before recommending treatment. A combination of acupuncture, dry needling, soft tissue therapy, and targeted exercise is commonly used to reduce pain, restore movement, and address the underlying drivers of the condition. Howard has presented academically in the area of back care at Endeavour College in Brisbane, QLD, reflecting the depth of knowledge he brings to the management of this condition.

Neck Pain

Neck pain can originate from muscle tightness, joint stiffness, disc involvement, or referred pain from surrounding structures in the cervical spine. It is a condition that frequently responds well to a multimodal treatment approach. Howard applies a combination of soft tissue therapy, acupuncture, and dry needling to address both the presenting symptoms and the underlying dysfunction. Whether your neck pain has resulted from a sporting injury, a sustained posture, or a more complex musculoskeletal presentation, a thorough assessment will be conducted before any treatment is recommended.

Shoulder Pain & Injury

The shoulder is a highly mobile joint that is vulnerable to injury across a range of structures, including the rotator cuff, the long head of the biceps tendon, the acromioclavicular joint, and the surrounding bursa and capsule. Common presentations include rotator cuff strains and tears, shoulder impingement syndrome, and joint instability. Howard assesses shoulder conditions carefully to identify which structures are involved and determines the most appropriate clinical approach, which may include acupuncture, dry needling, soft tissue therapy, and progressive exercise rehabilitation.

Hip & Gluteal Pain

Hip and gluteal pain can arise from conditions such as hip flexor strain, gluteal tendinopathy, trochanteric bursitis, or pain referred from the lumbar spine. These conditions can have a significant impact on mobility, athletic performance, and quality of daily life. Howard uses a combination of soft tissue therapy, acupuncture, and dry needling to address local pain and dysfunction, alongside structured exercise guidance to support recovery and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Knee Pain & Injury

Knee pain is a common presentation across all age groups and activity levels, with causes ranging from patellofemoral pain syndrome and iliotibial band syndrome to ligament sprains and meniscal irritation. Howard's approach to knee conditions involves a thorough biomechanical and structural assessment alongside targeted soft tissue and needling treatment to reduce pain, improve joint mechanics, and restore functional capacity. Exercise therapy is frequently incorporated to address muscular imbalances that may be contributing to the condition.

Ankle & Foot Conditions

Ankle sprains, Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, and other foot and ankle conditions are regularly managed at Springwood Sports Health. Howard applies clinically appropriate treatment to reduce pain, restore mobility, and support the healing and remodelling of affected structures. Dry needling and soft tissue therapy are commonly used in the management of these conditions, alongside practical guidance on activity modification and progressive loading to support a structured return to full function.

Muscle Strains & Soft Tissue Injuries

Muscle strains and broader soft tissue injuries are among the most frequent presentations in a sports therapy setting. Howard has extensive experience in accurately grading and managing these injuries, having worked with elite athletes for whom precise diagnosis and rapid, effective treatment are critical to performance and recovery timelines. Soft tissue therapy, acupuncture, and dry needling are applied as appropriate, with the treatment plan adjusted progressively as healing advances.

Tendon Pain & Overuse Injuries

Tendinopathies and overuse injuries develop over time as a result of repetitive loading that exceeds the tissue's capacity to recover and adapt. Common presentations include Achilles tendinopathy, patellar tendinopathy, rotator cuff tendinopathy, and lateral elbow pain. Howard's approach to tendon conditions combines manual therapy to manage local pain and stiffness with structured exercise prescription designed to build tissue capacity, improve load tolerance, and support durable long-term recovery.

Contact Springwood Sports Health on (07) 3208 2066 to find out how we can help manage your condition.