Sports injuries, today are not just limited to professional athletes or kids who participate in school sports programs. Today, a large number of people of both sexes and all ages are regularly involved in sports and fitness activities. There are women playing traditionally men’s sports such as soccer, basketball, and kick-boxing. As a whole, most people participate in sports like golf and tennis, and/or other healthy activities like running, aerobic classes, and weight training. Unfortunately, risk of injury is constantly feasible with any sports activity.
The majority of injuries fall into two groups: 1) traumatic injury, such as a slip, fall, or collision and, 2) repetitive stress or overuse injury.
Traumatic Injuries
These injuries cause the debilitating problems often associated with trauma. Nearly all traumatic injuries are to the ligaments, the tissue that connects bone to bone, and to body muscles, but fractures and dislocations do occur at times, in particular with contact sports. Damage to a ligament is called a sprain, while trauma to a muscle or its tendon is a strain. Sprains and strains often occur in the ankles, knees, and shoulders, and less frequently in the low back and neck. Injuries to the neck and low back can be extremely serious as the spinal cord or spinal nerves can also be involved.
A traumatic injury may be relatively slight, such as a “muscle pull” or ankle twist. But, some can be quite serious and require surgery. The seriousness of the injury depends upon several factors, such as the severity of tearing of the tissues, the region of the injury, and the age of the person. Some degree of swelling happens with most sprains and strains. In addition, with certain injuries, especially those of the ankle and knee, there can be some internal bleeding as well. With all strains and sprains competent management is vital, especially during the initial stages of the injury to assure proper healing and protect against future disability. Attention from a competent health-care professional, such as your Honolulu chiropractor, is highly recommended.
If you’ve sustained an injury, the best course of action is to see a professional. Until aid is accessible, remember the acronym, PRICE:
P Protect injury to prevent additional damage
R Rest the injury
I Ice injury to reduce swelling, bleeding, muscle spasm, and pain
C Compress injury with a specialized support or elastic bandage to support injured tissues
E Elevate the injury, especially when dealing with ankles and knees
Of course it is necessary to get the injury professionally examined by a chiropractor, or other competent health professional, to ascertain the degree of damage. Most of these injuries can heal, but they do require appropriate treatment during the various stages of healing. If not carefully monitored and treated, a sprain or strain injury can bring about persistent joint instability, painful or weak joints and muscles, and lack of mobility. Good treatment of your sports injury by a chiropractor with plenty of experience in sports injury treatment will insure that your injury recovers properly. Call your Honolulu Chiropractor if you have sustained a traumatic injury.
Repetitive Stress, or Overuse, Injuries
These injuries are becoming more prevalent, particularly among people involved in sports such as golf, tennis, bowling, and any other activity that necessitates the same motion over and over (repetitively). Something as simple and healthy as running, especially on a treadmill, can also be a factor.
Basically, overuse or repetitive stress injuries happen when a person is performs a repetitious activity that produces a very small strain to tissues, expressly tendons and muscles, that in and of itself would not create a problem, but repeated many times has an accumulative effect. carpal tunnel Syndrome is one of the most frequent types of overuse injuries. The pain, stiffness, and disability coincidental with carpal tunnel problems happens over a period of time as the muscles and other affected tissue develop changes that no longer allow proper function. There are two kinds of factors that predispose a person to these types of problems: 1) Intrinsic, i.e., found within a person’s own body, and 2) Extrinsic, i.e., external factors that can frequently be changed or controlled by the sufferer.
Some of the most prevalent intrinsic factors for injury
Age is the mostwell-established intrinsic factor for injury. The older a person is, the easier it is for that person to get injured. Congenital abnormalities are another factor. Some people are born with joint or muscle problems. And, lastly, previous injuries are a factor as they often keep the joints or muscles from functioning normally.
Extrinsic factors for injury
Extrinsic factors are plentiful. For instance, sports equipment can faulty–an inappropriate grip size of tennis racket or worn-out running shoes are clear examples, even a playing surface can be a factor, such as a too-hard surface for soccer or an uneven treadmill. Improper technique in any sport, such as an incorrect golf grip is, as they say, an injury waiting to happen All sports activities necessitate a bit of pre-conditioning, which is why people who aren’t in shape who continue to extend the duration of an activity without easing in slowly, as well as those who lack flexibility, are injured most often. Lack of warm-up, like stretching and properly preparation, is a frequent factor in injuries. And, finally, and maybe surprising to some, stress is a factor. Muscles that are tense and inflexible because of stress are too tight and, therefore, unprepared for most sports activities.
It is very helpful to remember that almost all factors are extrinsic and, consequently, they are factors that can be individually regulated. But, most people need evaluation by a qualified health care professional to ascertain their overall body health, the severity of injury, and the resolution to the problem. If left untreated, an injury will not only prohibit an individual from participating in a favorite activity, but can significantly affect someone’s life in general. Treatment such as joint manipulation, massage, bracing, and specific exercises is often necessary to stabilize the condition. A chiropractor is your best source of help. Call a chiropractor if you’re either thinking of beginning a new activity, you’re feeling pain related to a current sports activity, or you’ve sustained a sports injury. Your Honolulu Chiropractor has years of experience helping people just like you.
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