ABSTRACT
The setback can feel catastrophic and the athlete struggles to see a way past it, yet they are rarely as serious as feared and can often be a valuable part of the process of growing and improving as an athlete. An injury will almost always be a setback but because it is so common and has been studied extensively it is a setback we can approach very specifically. For athletes who do become injured, it has been shown that those who use the situation to learn about their injury and its cause will be better able to understand where weaknesses may be in their own bodies so they can build up strength for the future to prevent further injuries. Depending on the injury they may consider a physio, osteopath, sports massage therapist, specialist sports doctor or GP but it needs to be someone they trust and respect so they are more likely to follow their advice.
