What Is Sports Therapy, Really?
When people hear “sports therapy,” their minds often go straight to pro athletes, major injuries, or intense rehab clinics. And while it can support those things, sports therapy is so much more — and at Abbey Rose Therapy, it’s also a space where movement meets healing in a way that’s collaborative, down-to-earth, and tailored to you.
Whether you're a weekend warrior, someone training for their first 10K, or a teen juggling school and sports, sports therapy is about helping your body (and mind) stay in the game — whatever your game may be.
It’s Not Just Physical — It’s Personal
I’ve been an athlete my whole life. From swimming and triathlons as a kid to surf lifesaving and surf ski racing today, I know what it’s like to live in a body that’s expected to perform — and what it feels like when that performance is interrupted by injury, burnout, or pressure.
That lived experience shapes how I approach sports therapy: not just as a treatment for pain or injury, but as a partnership. It’s a space to talk about your goals, your challenges, and what your body needs to keep doing what you love.
So, What Happens in Sports Therapy?
Good question. The answer? It depends — on you.
Some sessions are more hands-on: working with muscles, joints, and soft tissue to release tension, promote recovery, or prep for competition. Others focus more on the mental side — dealing with fear after an injury, rebuilding confidence, or making space to talk about the emotional weight that sometimes comes with being an athlete (yes, even the recreational kind).
I also bring in elements from talk therapy when needed. For example:
Struggling with returning after an injury or crash? We might use EMDR to process fear or trauma.
Feeling stuck in your sport or identity? Narrative therapy helps explore the stories you’re carrying — and what might need to shift.
Chasing goals but feeling overwhelmed? We’ll break it down into tangible steps that make sense for your body and your life.
Who Is It For?
If you move your body — and care about how it feels — this might be for you.
I work with:
High school and college athletes
Adult recreational athletes
People returning to movement after injury
Competitive athletes balancing performance and pressure
Athletes experiencing fear, burnout, or loss of motivation
Anyone who sees sport or movement as part of their identity
Why I Love This Work
Because I get it.
I know what it’s like to be sidelined by pain, to feel like your body has betrayed you, or to question your identity when you can’t perform like you used to. And I also know the joy of moving freely again, the quiet wins of recovery, and the strength that comes from re-writing your story — not just as an athlete, but as a whole human.
Sports therapy is about supporting all of that. Not just the pain. Not just the muscle. But the person behind it.
Final Thoughts
So no — you don’t need to be a pro athlete to benefit from sports therapy.
You just need to be someone who values movement, is ready to listen to your body, and wants support that honors both the physical and emotional journey of being active in the world.
If that sounds like you, I’d love to meet you where you are — and help you move forward, one step (or paddle stroke) at a time.
Warmly,
Abbey Vince
