What is a sports therapist?

A sports therapist is trained in the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of muscle, joint and sports injuries, using hands-on therapy and exercise. Our sports therapists are graduates with a BSc (Hons) degree and belong to a professional body: most are members of The Society of Sports Therapists (MSST), and others are registered with the Sports Therapy Association (STA) or BASRaT. Sports therapists are not physiotherapists and are not regulated by the HCPC.

What's the difference between physiotherapy and sports therapy?

Both treat muscle, joint, nerve-related and sports injuries using assessment, hands-on treatment and exercise, and both see the same range of problems at our clinics. Physiotherapists are HCPC-registered healthcare professionals. Sports therapists are trained in injury assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, and are not HCPC regulated. If you are not sure which to book, call us and we will help.

Do I need a GP referral?

No. You can book directly. If anything in your assessment suggests you should see your GP or a specialist, we'll tell you and explain why.

Do I have to be sporty?

Not at all. Most of the people we see aren't athletes. They want to walk, work, play with their kids or train without their body getting in the way.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on the problem and your goals, so we won't guess before we've met you. At your first appointment we'll talk you through what we found, a realistic plan and how we'll know it's working.

Comfortable clothes you can move in, like shorts and a T-shirt. We may want to see how the area moves, so loose layers help.

Sports therapist assessing a client's movement in the gym

Sports Therapy

Sports
Therapy
That Lasts

A thorough assessment, hands-on treatment and an exercise plan that builds you back up. You don't need to be an athlete. You just need to want to move well again.

Book Sports Therapy Call 01279 964 236

Where Bishop's Stortford, Cambridge, Saffron Walden and Sawston

What We Offer

Treatment built around getting you stronger.

Our sports therapists start by listening. What happened, what you can and can't do, and what you want to get back to. Then we assess how you move to work out what's driving the problem, not just where it hurts.

Treatment usually combines hands-on work with a simple, progressive exercise plan. Many people find that the exercise part is what makes the difference long term. That's the idea behind Train With Pain: the right dose of movement is part of recovery, and hurt doesn't always mean harm.

Physiotherapy or sports therapy? Our physiotherapists and sports therapists see the same range of problems, from back pain and sports injuries to nerve-related pain such as sciatica. Book whichever suits you, or call us and we will help you choose.

Thorough movement and injury assessment
Soft tissue therapy and joint mobilisation
Taping and load management advice
A clear, progressive exercise plan
Return to sport and activity planning
Bishop's Stortford, Cambridge, Saffron Walden and Sawston

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Who You'll See

Our sports therapists

Jessica Barnes

CEO & Sports Therapist

BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy · MSST

Clinics Bishop's Stortford, Cambridge

Jessica joined Injury Active in 2014 as a graduate therapist and has been CEO since 2025.

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Lewis Riches

Sports Therapist

BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy · MSST

Clinics Bishop's Stortford, Saffron Walden

Lewis is a sports therapist and often the first person you will speak to when you get in touch with us.

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Zoe Verlander

Sports Therapist & Level 3 PT

BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy · MSST · Level 3 Personal Trainer

Clinics Bishop's Stortford, Saffron Walden, Sawston

Zoe is a graduate sports therapist (BSc Hons, MSST) and a Level 3 personal trainer.

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Emily Squires

Sports Therapist & S&C Coach

BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Therapy · MSST

Clinics Bishop's Stortford, Saffron Walden

Emily is a sports therapist and strength and conditioning coach, and coaches our small-group strength classes.

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Jess Barclay

Sports Therapist

BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Therapy · STA

Clinics Bishop's Stortford

Jess is a sports therapist with a degree in Sport and Exercise Therapy and extra training in trauma management.

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Asha Thompson

Sports Therapist & Rehabilitator

BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation · BASRaT

Clinics Bishop's Stortford, Saffron Walden, Sawston

Asha is a sports therapist and rehabilitator with a BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, registered with BASRaT.

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Emily Clapham

Sports Therapist

BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy · MSST

Clinics Cambridge, Sawston

Emily is a graduate sports therapist who has played hockey at a high level and competed in eventing.

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Who It's For

Sports therapy is a good fit for

New injuries

Sprains, strains and tweaks. Getting a plan early can help you keep moving and avoid losing fitness.

Pain that won't settle

Back, neck, shoulder or knee pain that keeps coming back or hasn't improved with rest.

Sports and gym injuries

From Sunday league to the barbell, a staged plan back to training and competing.

Nerve-related pain

Symptoms such as sciatica that travel into the arm or leg, assessed carefully and referred on when needed.

Desk and work strain

Aches from long hours at a desk, driving or physical work, with practical changes you can make.

After surgery

Rehab once your surgeon or consultant is happy for you to start, working alongside their guidance.

Conditions We Help With

Common questions about sports therapy

What is a sports therapist?: A sports therapist is trained in the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of muscle, joint and sports injuries, using hands-on therapy and exercise. Our sports therapists are graduates with a BSc (Hons) degree and belong to a professional body: most are members of The Society of Sports Therapists (MSST), and others are registered with the Sports Therapy Association (STA) or BASRaT. Sports therapists are not physiotherapists and are not regulated by the HCPC.
What's the difference between physiotherapy and sports therapy?: Both treat muscle, joint, nerve-related and sports injuries using assessment, hands-on treatment and exercise, and both see the same range of problems at our clinics. Physiotherapists are HCPC-registered healthcare professionals. Sports therapists are trained in injury assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, and are not HCPC regulated. If you are not sure which to book, call us and we will help.
Do I need a GP referral?: No. You can book directly. If anything in your assessment suggests you should see your GP or a specialist, we'll tell you and explain why.
Do I have to be sporty?: Not at all. Most of the people we see aren't athletes. They want to walk, work, play with their kids or train without their body getting in the way.
How many sessions will I need?: It depends on the problem and your goals, so we won't guess before we've met you. At your first appointment we'll talk you through what we found, a realistic plan and how we'll know it's working.
What should I wear?: Comfortable clothes you can move in, like shorts and a T-shirt. We may want to see how the area moves, so loose layers help.

Sports
Therapy
That Lasts

Treatment built around getting you stronger.