Pushing your physical limits in sports is exhilarating, but it also places significant stress on your body, making injuries a potential setback. Physical therapy plays a crucial role not only in recovery but also in prevention. Check out how targeted physical therapy strategies can significantly reduce your risk of sports-related injuries.
Uncommon Physical Therapy exists to change the expectations of Outpatient Orthopedic Physical Therapy. Your commitment of time and financial resources for in-person physical therapy is something we value and respect. Every patient has unique goals for therapy; our mission is to do everything needed to help you achieve yours — uncommonly well. As it says in our ethos, “success is uncommon and not to be enjoyed by the common man.” We hold ourselves to a higher standard — we want to be a part of your success story. Come on in! We can’t wait to meet you!
Exercise is good for the body and with the proper precautions, sports injuries can often be prevented. The quality of protective equipment – padding, helmets, shoes, mouth guards – has helped to improve safety in sports. But, you can still be susceptible to injury. Always contact your healthcare provider before starting any type of physical activity, especially vigorous types of exercises or sports.
Causes of sports injuries may include:
- Improper or poor training practices
- Wearing improper sporting gear
- Being in poor health condition
- Improper warm-up or stretching practices before a sporting event or exercise
Common sports injuries include:
- Sprains and strains
- Joint injuries (knee)
- Muscle injuries
- Dislocations
- Fractures
- Achilles tendon injuries
- Pain along the shin bone
How can I prevent a sports injury?
The following are some basic steps to prevent a sports injury:
- Develop a fitness plan that includes cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility. This will help decrease your chance of injury.
- Alternate exercising different muscle groups and exercise every other day.
- Cooldown properly after exercise or sports. It should take 2 times as long as your warm-ups.
- Stay hydrated. Drink water to prevent dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.
- Stretching exercises can improve the ability of muscles to contract and perform, reducing the risk of injury. Each stretch should start slowly until you reach a point of muscle tension. Stretching should not be painful. Aim to hold each stretch for up to 20 seconds.
- Use the right equipment or gear and wear shoes that provide support and that may correct certain foot problems that can lead to injury.
- Learn the right techniques to play your sport.
- Rest when tired, Avoid exercise when you are tired or in pain.
- Always take your time during strength training and go through the full range of motion with each repetition.
- If you do sustain a sports injury, make sure you participate in adequate rehabilitation before resuming strenuous activity.
Don’t let injuries sideline your passion. Schedule your appointment in Charlotte today at (704) 803-8038 to develop a personalized injury prevention plan. Let us help you stay strong, agile, and in the game. For more inspiration and tips, you can follow us on Instagram.
Reference: [https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/sports-injuries/preventing-sports-injuries]
