A sports injury is always bad news since it means time away from sport, training and not only causes physical pain but can lead to drops in fitness levels. It’s important not to rush back from an injury since inadequate healing can lead to additional damage and steps need to be taken on return

The two injuries are very alike, and this is what causes a confusing overlap between the two. A simple way to destining between the two is that a tendon attaches a muscle to bone whereas a ligament attaches bone to bone.   However, both injuries have similar symptoms, and this is what causes mo

A calf strain is an injury which occurs when the muscle at the back of the lower leg becomes damaged or inflamed due to excessive strain or force being placed on the calf muscle. The most common cause of a calf strain is through overuse of the muscle, particularly in sports which involve a high

Buying a Knee brace be it your first or a replacement is a daunting process. Knee braces come in several different shapes and sizes, as well as offering different levels of support it is difficult to be sure what brace is right for you and your injury. Therefore, here at Firsatid4sport we have prod

How do you know if you have damaged your ligament or your tendon? Well to be honest the reason there is such a confusing overlap of what is what and where, is because the two are very alike. The simplest way to put it is that tendons attach muscle to bone and ligaments attach bone to bone. Sounds si

 Would you know what to do or how to react if someone suddenly collapsed in front of you? Sudden heart attacks are amongst the most common cause of death in the world. Performing CPR can be the difference between life and death. You can’t assume that someone else will step in – that

What are Pectoral Tears and Strains? The pectoral muscles (pecs) are located at the front of the chest, they are made up of two muscles. The larger of the two is called the pectoralis major muscle, this extends from the sternum across the ribs and collar bone to the humerus (upper arm). The pectoral

The British summertime appears to be in full swing (touches wood, crosses fingers) It’s no secret, staying hydrated is an important part of your overall health, but there are lots of health benefits that aren’t as well known. Hydration can give your metabolism a boost, lubricate your joi

Standing Balance Test (Easy) Stand on the wobble board with your feet shoulder width apart and push the front of the board down towards the ground by flexing your feet forward, aim to get the lip of the board as close to the ground as you can without letting it touch the floor. Proceed to roll the b

Easter is a great time to enjoy skiing, making the most of the better weather, taking advantage of the last of the ski season. Easter is the perfect time to enjoy a skiing getaway with family and children or equally just with friends. If you are the type of person who wants to ski whilst enjoying t

Kinesiology Tape, when applied correctly, should last 5 to 7 days, so unfortunately, there will come a time when you need to be brave and remove that tape, just like pulling off a plaster. Sometimes activity and movement can loosen the adhesive and the tape starts to peel at the edges, other times t

Kinesiology tape is one of our most popular products, however, you may be thinking what actually is it? Or, how can I use it? Keep reading to find out; It is proven to work – kinesiology tape has had significant research done to prove that it accelerates the healing process for a range of inju

What is arthritis? Arthritis is a condition characterised by a degenerative process whereby there is gradual wear and tear to the cartilage and bone surfaces of a joint with subsequent inflammation. Arthritis of the knee may occur following a specific injury or due to repetitive impact through the k

The is undoubtedly many factors to take into consideration when it comes to the healing process following a sports injury, however one of the factors that we rarely consider is the mental side of healing. The psychological effect that an injury can have on a person and how their mental state effects

Recurrent injury is an injury to any location on the body that previously sustained the same injury. It can be caused by anything, from an accident, sports injury, or work-related incident. Sports injuries can often be recurrent with subsequent injuries being influenced by the first injury. Most rec

Warming Up Before exercise, it is very important to warm up the body. This aids the performer in preparing physiologically and psychologically for exercise, reducing the risk of injury when exercising. Warm up exercises prepare the body for exercising by increasing the blood flow to the muscles allo

Warming up is a vital part of exercise, but there are a lot of people who think that this simply involves a quick jog followed by a head-to-toe stretching routine that we learned in secondary school PE. These stretches (that normally consist of holding a muscle in a fixed, stretched position for 15

Anyone who does sport to a competitive level will know the feeling of choking under pressure and not performing to their best. The nerves kick in, the anticipation of winning or losing the match become a factor and our physiological and psychological responses to this reduce our endurance, coordinat

We can all get on board with the idea that exercise is good for you and that Netflix marathons with a regular beer and pizza diet isn't, but is there a point where exercise can actually cause you harm? Research conducted by Monash University has discovered that extreme exercise can cause intestinal

Other than getting repeatedly punched in the face and slammed to the ground, there is an area of Mixed Martial Arts that all competitors dread – cutting weight. Cutting weight is in itself a skill and fighters who agree to compete at a certain weight are expected to make it with failure being seen a

Danish Fitness instructor Tom Hoel has regained the world record for holding himself in a "Plank" position. Tom held this gruelling fitness position for an incredible 4 hours and 28 minutes, beating the previous record by 2 minutes. We managed to get in touch with Tom and he kindly answered a few qu

Whether it's as a way of getting through a long shift at work, or partaking in a cheeky jagerbomb at the bar on a Saturday night, most, if not all of us have at some point in our lives drank an energy drink. Energy drinks have become a multi-billion pound industry, yet regulations on the products re

Drug use among professional athletes has once again been featured in the news recently with Alberto Salazar, Mo Farah's coach being accused of violating international doping laws and giving steroids to Farah's training partner Galen Rupp. The emergence of the World Anti-Doping Agency in 1999 has tig

Getting into sports from a young age is a great thing and can set the tone for being fit and healthy for the rest of your life. As with all sports though, there is a risk of injury and leading public health doctors have warned a government drive to boost participation in Rugby in schools risk more c

Anyone who watched the Chelsea v Arsenal game last weekend won’t forget the collision between Chelsea midfielder Oscar, and Arsenal goalkeeper Ospina in a hurry. The collision was hard, and Oscar looked clearly dazed and confused as a result of the impact, showing sure signs of concussion such as th

Just after the New Year and in the run up to the summer are probably the busiest times for the gym and fitness industry as a whole. Guys hit the weights room and the treadmill aiming for the Brad Pitt in Snatch, shredded look, and girls aim to get bikini ready and toned ready for the summer months.

When we think of boxers training, we think of the hours spent in the gym, the blood, sweat and tears, and, of course the power ballad fuelled Rocky montages. The physical side of boxing is constantly being developed to improve cardiovascular conditioning and muscular endurance, yet the mental aspect

Flight Lieutenant Alun Pepper managed to fight off over 1000 applicants to become Britain’s Manliest Man after appearances on `This Morning` and mentions in numerous national papers. He is now ambassador for the `Orchid` male cancer charity and is raising awareness of male cancer after being d

I think we can all agree that a number of different elements combine to make someone physically fit. They should have great cardiovascular endurance, as well as muscular power, endurance and flexibility and for this overall fitness, mixed martial arts (MMA) is fantastic. An MMA fighter has to be str

The English have a bad enough reputation when it comes to their teeth without adding to this by participating in contact sport without a mouthguard. The American Dental Association in a 2007 survey showed injury risk to be 1.6-1.9 times higher for athletes who didn’t wear a mouthguard compared to th

Finding a workout program that suits you and you can stick to can be difficult and require some tweaking here and there. There are certain exercises however that are the basis for a well rounded workout that targets all the main muscle groups. #5 – The Bench Press The big chest builder! Done properl

A new Lincoln based charity – Just Give It A Thought, has set out to change the way people think about their personal safety and this week released their first public `Thinking Face` campaign which aims to spread the message of the charity to as many people as possible, while also raising so much ne

For most of us taking an iPod and listening to music at the gym is as necessary as taking a towel or a bottle of water. Research conducted over the past ten or so years has shown time and time again that music can benefit those who are exercising on a number of different levels, from increasing endu

American football is becoming more and more prevalent in the UK now, due partly to the NFL being held at Wembley Stadium and as a result of this more and more people are starting to play the game as well as enjoying as a spectator. One search on YouTube will show you a compilation of some pretty bru

There’s an old saying that I’m sure pretty much everyone has heard at least once in their life – practice makes perfect. Is this true however? Does practice really make perfect? Is it not possible for someone to practice something for a very long time, but to practice it in the wrong way? In this in

Overuse injury is one of the most common injuries seen in sports. No matter whether your a sports professional or simply a once-a-weeker, you are not only at risk of sustaining a chronic injury but no matter how frequently you play you are in danger of causing further, long term damage. The probl

1. Discover the reason behind your pain So your knee hurts when you run, but why? Recognising what's causing your pain is the first step to avoiding it and treating it. With any serious or long lasting pain you should always see your doctor, but for minor aches and pains that only flare up on occasi

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a feeling that I’m sure we have all had at one time or another. It’s the feeling of muscle pain, soreness or stiffness, which occurs in the day or two after exercise. The soreness most commonly occurs if you start a new exercise regime, change your current rou

There have been a large number of studies into the effects of overtraining, but the bottom line is that Overtraining is bad. How bad? Well, its affects go beyond physiological problems such as injury or fatigue, and into psychological problems including depression and addiction. What constitutes to

Summer is fast approaching and it is a summer full of sport. What better time to get off the sofa, ditch the fags, get yourself fit and trim. Introducing exercise into your life will not only make you feel good about yourself, it increases your energy levels and does wonders for your health and well

Lets face it, nobody can say that they do not know what not to eat if they want to lose weight. The math is pretty simple, eat less calories than you burn and make sure you eat your greens. Ok, there have been hundreds of theorys that claim maximise your weight loss through diet, such as cutting ou

Although we talk an awful lot about the healing process after a sports injury, something we’ve never touched upon is the mental side of injuries – the psychological way we cope with injury and the effect our mental state can have on healing. An athlete can react in numerous different wa

Could this discovery improve ACL injury recovery times? Theo Walcott is the latest premier league star to be struck down with the dreaded ACL injury. This is devastating news for the young Arsenal and England player with the 2014 world cup fast approaching. Walcott has been ruled out for six months,

When it comes to sports injuries, it's amazing how many myths, half truths and fabrications exist. Although many of these myths are simple misunderstandings, when it comes to your health and safety it's important that you don’t pick up bad habits and end up causing yourself damage as a result of not

In todays working enviroment and the increase in technology we have become more seditary, doing less manual jobs and spending more time sitting down infront of computer screens. How many of us that have these kinds of jobs suffer from chronic back and neck pain and struggle to lose weight even thoug

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS WILL BE: Linear & lateral speed development Explosive power development Functional strength training A functional, strong & powerful physique is what will give you the edge on your opponent. This is where a training program designed specifically for you and your chosen sport is

Regular exercise is extremely beneficial for your body and health and is encouraged, however there is a risk of overtraining which can have a negative impact on you both mentally and physically. Overtraining can be dangerous but is not common and what constitutes overtraining has been the topic of

Pilates offers a range of benefits to the body no matter your fitness background and classes are becoming readily available all over the country. Pilates helps improve posture, body alignment and provides an excellent core workout. Pilates is a low-impact exercise that aims to strengthen muscles wh

Hamstring injuries have always been present in sport for decades, but they are not limited to just sport and are frequently seen to effect active individuals. A hamstring injury will leave an athlete side-lined for a number of weeks and have an incredibly high re-injury rate. Usually there also no w

Playing sport has a range of benefits regarding your health, but also instils discipline and teamwork as well as encouraging social interaction, however there are risks of playing contact sports such as accidents and collisions. A major result of collisions is concussion, an injury present in rugby,

Turf toe occurs as a result of excessive bending of the big toe causing a sprain to the ligaments in the base of the toe in the ball of the foot. So, what exactly are the main causes of turf toe and how can you best treat and prevent the injury. This injury is common amongst athletes who perform on

Most of us will enjoy playing a sport in our spare time but unfortunately, we all must return to our jobs come Monday, but no one wants a work place injury to stop them competing in their sport in their spare time. Here at Firstaid4sport we specialise in sport medical supplies and can advise you on

Competing in sports such as MMA and boxing are dangerous enough but one challenge all fighters will face regularly is making weight, it can be one of the most difficult parts of the preparation before a fight.   Cutting weight to ensure that you make the agreed wight before a fight is essential for

Professional rugby players Dominic Day and George Kruis created fourfivecbd after both using CBD during their own recovery from injury, fourfivecbd’s 0% THC is the first and only product in the world to also be third-party tested and certified for cross contamination of banned substances. 

cbd (cannabidiol) is taking over the world’s market for natural wellness remedies. It has been suggested that cbd could be used to benefit a number of different issues and help maintain and support an active lifestyle. However, with so much growing support for the use of cbd for athletes, ther

Some parts of the body are more prone to injury than others, unfortunately one of those is the hamstring. Just like every type of injury to tissue in the body the more pressure it’s under the more likely there will be damage. The hamstring muscles are located on the back of your upper leg and at

Have you sustained an injury recently and are you unsure of whether or not you should be using tape, there are a number of benefits of using tape, but you must be fully aware of the injury you have sustained before applying any tape.  If you are unsure of whether you should be applying tape or

With the clock going back, the temperatures dropping and Christmas around the corner thousands of people will be itching to grab their skis and head for the slopes. However, with skiing there are risks and a likelihood of injury.   So ahead of your trip this year be sure you know the five most

Wrist Pain is often experienced through discomfort in the wrist or the upper hand and is commonly caused by several injuries, such as sprains and fractures. Although small, the human wrist is made up of eight bones alongside ligaments, tendons and tissue. With all these components in such a small a

An ACL tear is a common sports injury affecting the knee and is characterised by the tearing of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament, which is an important structural stabiliser for the knee. A ligament is a strong bond of connective tissue which attaches bone to bone, the ACL is situated within the knee

Here at Firstaid4sport we sell several types of tape. However, our Premium Tan Zinc Oxide tape is one of our favourites. But if you aren’t aware of what premium zinc oxide tape is, well this guide will show not only what it is but how and why to use it. What is Premium Tan Zin Oxide Tape? Prem

Kinesiology Tape is used throughout the sporting world and is easily recognisable, it’s the bright strips of tape seen on knees, shoulders and backs. It is applied to the body to reduce pain, provide support, reduce swelling and improve performance all without restricting movement. Kinesiolog

When running you may hit the ground with between five and nine times your body weight on each stride, this unsurprisingly can cause pain in your knees. The pain will be present when you walk, kneel, squat and run. Runners’ knee otherwise know as patella-femoral pain syndrome occurs when then

There are many types of knee injuries, seeing a physiotherapist can help identify and treat the injury, here are five simple steps that a physiotherapist may take to determine if your suffering from osteoporosis or a knee injury.     No matter whether or you’re out running or sa

The light weight strong wobble board is ideal to train your way back to full fitness and to integrate balance into every aspect of sports performance and rehabilitation. This Balance Board is perfect for strengthening weak ankles and your core muscles and here are some exercises which you can do w

With January over many people are counting down the days until summer, however we can still expect some rain between now and then. So, if you’ve taken up running this new year then we have some tips for running safely in the rain. Running in the rain can be dangerous, especially to a new runne

There are several different types of massages with each being designed to deal with different issues, getting a massage is not as simple as laying face down on the table. The massage you require will be dependant on what you are wanting to get out of it. There are hundreds of massage types available

In our backs we have 23 spinal discs which separate the vertebrae and act as shock absorbers. These occasionally can place pressure on the spinal cord nerves leading to back pain, this is know as a slipped disc. Back or neck pain is a serious injury for most, and it is understandable that a slipped

A dislocation of the shoulder occurs when the connective tissues in the shoulder joint and surrounding area becomes damaged or inflamed causing the bones at the joint to become displaced due to high force or strain being placed on the area. The main cause of a dislocated shoulder is due to the s

A groin strain is a muscular tear or rupture to any one of your groin muscles, usually one of the hip adductor muscle group. Any of these groin muscles can be strained but the most common is adductor longus. A groin strain usually occurs with a high-seed activity such as kicking, sprinting or a sudd

Shin splints are a pain experienced in the front of the lower leg or shin, they are common amongst runners and those who put weight on their legs during extended physical activity. It is best to avoid physical activity such as running until the injury has fully recovered. Shin splints are often cau

A sprained ankle occurs when an excessive amount of pressure is placed on the ligaments in the ankle which they are unable to cope with causing damage and tearing to the soft tissue. The severity of the injury can range from a partial tear to a complete rupture.   A common cause of a sprained ank

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is pressure on a nerve in your wrist. It causes tingling, numbness and pain in your hand and fingers. There are several symptoms and causes and of carpal tunnel syndrome however it can be treated at home. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway on the palm side of your

Taking parting in any triathlon is a daunting process, with three different disciplines to plan for and the idea of competing against a number of other athletes. So, we have decided to try and give you a helping hand on your journey to completing a triathlon. Planning, practicing your shifts and kn

Golfer’s elbow occurs when the soft tissue or muscles at the front of the forearm responsible for extending the wrist and fingers, become inflamed or damaged and is commonly seen in golfers. This injury is commonly seen in golfers due to the nature of the repetitive wrist extension against the

A frozen shoulder occurs when the connective tissue is the shoulder joint and surrounding area become damaged or inflamed resulting in a loss of movement in the area. This injury is extremely common amongst athletes who do not allow an adequate resting period between activity leading to excessive s

Electrotherapy and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is the electrical stimulation of the body in which currents are passed through the body to stimulate nerves and muscles, especially in treatments of various forms of paralysis. Electrotherapy uses a low voltage electrical curr

The term Cryotherapy is more popular than ever, being used by several athletes and medical professionals but if it’s a term you are not familiar with and you want to learn what it means, the benefits and why it is so popular. Well, read on. What is Cryotherapy? Cryotherapy is an upgrade of the

A blister is a fluid filled sack that forms beneath the upper layers of the skin, they can cause pain and discomfort and will usually be caused by trauma to the skin. Blisters are a very common occurrence in sport, so how exactly do you treat, prevent and care for blisters caused by sport. In sport

With approximately over one million British people going skiing each year several skiing related injuries will occur, one of the most common of these is skiers’ thumb. What many people don’t appreciate is the importance of our thumbs for hand movement, gripping and simply moving your fin

Back pain is something that not only affects athletes but will affects a number of people in their everyday lives, two of the most popular methods used to relieve this pain are hot and cold therapy. However, there can be some confusion to which kind of treatment is best for different injuries.  

Lincoln City defender Ben Coker made his Imps debut just weeks ago after a year on the side-line caused by a serious knee injury in his final season at previous club Southend United, however, this battle is not the first big hurdle Coker has faced in his journey as a professional footballer.  A

Mike Hine is the Head of Sports Science & Medicine at Lincoln City and has been with the club since 2016, seeing the team achieve two promotions in that time, but where did his journey begin before arriving at Lincoln and how did he find working alongside Danny and Nicky Cowley.  Like

Ben Coker made his Lincoln City debut 381 days after he was stretchered off in the 21st minute of a 3-0 defeat away at Sunderland for Southend United . After rupturing two ligaments in his knee Coker was immediately ruled out for the remainder of the season.    A year has passed and Coker

Premiership Rugby have announced a new player-welfare initiative for the 2019/20 season, as Independent Matchday Doctors will be in place at all Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Premiership Rugby Cup, and European home matches. This new initiative has been funded by the clubs and has been back backed by

With just 11 weeks until Christmas the ski season is fast approaching meaning you need to get your boots dusted off, your winter clothes sorted but most importantly make sure you are protected when you are on the piste. Skiing is an adrenaline fuelled, dangerous and difficult sport but that&rsq

In all sport be it a team or individual competition there are sets of rules in place that provide an agreement of understanding for all those involved. Rules are enforced to govern everything from how to keep score to what can be worn and apply to all players, coaches, managers and officials. A

Love them or hate them, treadmills are a key part of fitness and rehabilitation.  Whether you are new to running, you have been running for years, or perhaps you have recently suffered a treadmill injury and it’s made you question the impact it may or may not be having on your knees?  Our blog will

Back in December we announced our support of Welsh International, Rebecca De Fillippo. We can o also announce Rebecca as our ………. Ambassador for 2018. When Rebecca made her debut against Scotland in the 2012, she was the youngest member of the Wales squad. As a centre, she moved her way up the seni

We are delighted to welcome Welsh Indigo Premiership side, Newport Rugby to the FirstAid4Sport family as a partner for the 2019/20 season. The partnership we will see FirstAid4Sport become the Official Sports Medical and First Aid Supplier to the Black and Ambers. Catherine Gray, Business Develop

We are proud to announce our new Firstad4port Ambassador, GB Gymnast Ellesse Oates. Ellesse has risen through the ranks recently over the last few years and even at a young age she has experience and medals under her belt. We will be providing Ellesse her chalk and tape for the coming year and loo

You only have to look on Instagram to understand just how popular CrossFit is getting! Photos of CrossFit diehards proudly displaying their blistered, calloused and torn palms like  badges of honour. But even if you're can push through the pain of dead-lifts and snatches with a flesh wound, it

What Are Shin Splints? Shin splints is a pain experienced in the front of the lower leg or shin. Shin splints are common among runners and those who put weight on their legs during extended physical activity. Shin Splints Symptoms People who are suffering from shin splints often experience acute pai

Cohesive bandage is a type of bandage that coheres to itself but doesn’t adhere well to skin, hair or other materials. This makes it an ideal solution for any taping job that requires tape to be wrapped around a limb without the commonly associated pain of waxing the hair off your skin wh

Myo refers to muscles, and fascia is the connective tissue that bind muscles, bones, and organs together. Fascia connects and covers all parts of the body in a strong, fibrous sheeting, but it also plays a primary role in healing from injury. We are only just beginning to understand the role and imp

Are you unsure when you should and shouldn’t be using tape? If so then you are not alone. So here at Firstaid4sport we have put together this helpful guide to aid you in deciding when to tape and when is best to avoid taping. You may already be aware of the benefits associated with using sport

When it comes to versatility and value for money, few bits of kit could offer you as much value and versatility as a resistance band. What are resistance, bands? These popular pieces of training equipment are flexible, seamlessly-constructed latex rubber bands or tubes which come in a variety of sha

What Is Hypermobility? Joint hypermobility means that some or all of a person's joints have an unusually large range of movement. Hypermobility syndrome is a condition that features joints that easily move beyond the normal range expected for that particular joint. Hypermobile joints are often an in

Electrotherapy is defined as - the use of electric currents passed through the body to stimulate nerves and muscles, chiefly in the treatment of various forms of paralysis. Electric stimulation devices such as Compex have been shown to speed u recovery time in athletes and are medical-grade devices

Some body parts are more prone to injury than others. The hamstring is unfortunately one of those, and likes to act up at every opportunity! Just like every type of injury to tissue in the body the more pressure it’s under, the more likely there will be damage. The hamstring muscles are located on