Sports Injuries
Sports Injuries
Sports injuries can occur when you least expect them. Any person who enjoys and plays sports can face an injury at some point in their lives. It doesn’t matter the ability level of the athlete or the chosen sport, injuries are as much a part of the game as winning or losing. However, when injuries occur, it is important to know how to treat your pain so you can get back in the game faster. Sports injuries that are left untreated often worsen over time and could result in chronic pain and limited mobility as you age.
Sports Injury Rish Factors
Fatigue
You body is more prone to injuries when you are fatigued. The movements you make are less precise and more sluggish. Your recovery from a particular movement or your response time increases. Your form, swing or stroke may begin to degrade. It is during this time that the body is more prone to injury. A swing with poor form may pull a muscle, or a single misjudged step can result in a sprained foot or ankle. Know when your body is fatigued and call a timeout or ask for a sub to help reduce the chance of suffering a sports injury.
Not warming up before playing sports
Warming up with general stretching or walking program is a great way to reduce the risk of suffering a sports injury, while going from zero to maximum effort is a great way to pull a muscle. This happens frequently to any sports players who has pulled a hamstring going from standing still to running very fast. Even if your warmup is only five minutes of light stretching, there are still significant benefits to reducing sports injury.
Inadequate, worn or ill-fitting equipment
Worn out or the wrong type of shoe or any other equipment can put an athlete at risk of turning an ankle. Equipment that is too heavy, such as a tennis racket, bowling ball or cricket bat can cause extra strain on muscles and tendons. Excessively worn equipment may not provide adequate protection. If your sports equipment has a finite life span, replace it when necessary to lower your risk of sports injury.
How can I treat my sports injury?
Once a sports injury occurs, your first thought should be to apply RICE principles. The RICE method is very effective at treating many sports injuries, and is only four steps:
- Rest — First and most importantly, if you believe you’re injured, give your body a rest. You risk further damage to the injured body part by continuing to play through the pain. This could also result in permanent muscular or skeletal damage.
- Ice — In addition to rest, icing is a very effective way to treat most sports injuries. Ice reduces swelling and pain. Apply to the affected area for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off as often as possible in the first 24 hours.
- Compression — Wrapping the affected area in a bandage can help prevent swelling. The bandage should be snug, but not too tight, as that would cut off blood flow to the area and prevent healing.
- Elevation — The goal with elevating the injured body part is to have it resting above your heart. This reduces pain and throbbing and can help alleviate fluid buildup in the area.
When should I seek immediate medical treatment for sports injuries?
While many sports injuries can be treated at home, there are some symptoms that require immediate medical attention including:
- Visibly broken bones or joints: Call an ambulance or go to the hospital straight away
- Inability to bear weight on the injured body part
- Weakness or instability in the joint
- Back pain especially coupled with tingling or numbness
- Pain that does not go away or pain that interferes with sleep
- Loss of consciousness
Sports Injury Treatment
For sports injuries that could benefit from a course of Physiotherapy treatment, there are many useful therapy techniques that can aid the recovery process, such as:
- Range of motion exercises and stretching
- Muscle strengthening exercises
- TENS unit muscle stimulation
It does not matter whether you’re trying to reclaim your glory days, an aspiring high school athlete or a weekend warrior. Sports injuries are part of the game. Bouncing back from injury quickly is the key to maintaining your quality of life.
Contact Us:
Do you need assistance with your sports injury? Book an appointment with Daniel Stone. Experienced Physiotherapist who loves to play and treat sports injuries! For more information on how we can further assist you, please call our clinic number on 0479 080 800 or send us an email on [email protected] for further details.
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