Hooks

Why Hooks ?

his technique is often considered by patients as impressive because of the shape of the hooks, but it proves to be one of the most interesting in the treatment of sportsmen. Indeed, this technique consists in freeing the inter-tissue attachments (muscles, ligaments, fasciae but especially the fascias) in order to recover the mobilitý of the sliding planes of the concerned region. To make it clearer, it thus serves to defibrillate and break the adhesions that limit the good mobility of the tissues between them. The neuromuscular spindles, which are mechano-receptors playing a role in proprioception, can be disrupted in the case of adhesions for example. By breaking these, we not only recover better amplitudes but we also restore the maximum contraction potential of the muscle. The hooks can also boost the synthesis of collagen fibres, which strengthen the connective tissue. 

What are their roles in prevention ? 

Many therapists use hooking techniques in recovery in combination with other techniques and so can detect tissue tension between planes of movement by palpation. By coming to hook, he can reduce the risk of tendinopathies but also of muscular injuries. In sports such as football, where many injuries affect the muscles of the thigh or adductors, it is important to ensure that the muscles slide properly, because in the event of adhesions the muscle will have less capacity to stretch. Its resistance to stress will then be reduced and the athlete will be more at risk of developing muscular injuries during sudden accelerations. By re-establishing the sliding between the muscles, hooking releases the proprioceptive action of the surrounding fibres. The motor neurons responsible for the stabilisation of the joint concerned will thus regain their maximum efficiency, particularly in the speed of intervention. This speed is one of the most important notions of joint protection, allowing immediate adaptation to any situation of imbalance. Crochetting thus allows the athlete to preserve his physical activity without his risk of injury being increased by fatigue or other factors. 

It may therefore be worthwhile to check with your physiotherapist during the season to assess the quality of your tissues and adjust them with the help of hooks if necessary.