Sports injuries, today are not just limited to professional athletes or young people who participate in school sports programs. Today, many 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. The vast majority of people very active in sports like golf and tennis, and/or other healthy activities like running, aerobic classes, and weight training. Sadly, risk of injury is always possible with any sports activity.
Most of injuries fall into two classifications: 1) traumatic injury, such as a slip, fall, or collision and, 2) repetitive stress or overuse injury.
Traumatic Injuries
These injuries produce the debilitating damage often associated with trauma. As a rule injuries to the ligaments (the tissue that connects bone to bone) and to muscles are the most frequent, although the trauma of fractures and dislocations frequently occurs in contact sports. Damage to a ligament is called a sprain, while an injury to a muscle or its tendon is a strain. The most frequent areas for these kinds of injuries are the ankles, knees, and shoulders, nevertheless other areas can be affected including the low back and neck. Injuries to the neck and low back can be very serious as the spinal cord or spinal nerves can also be affected.
A traumatic injury may be relatively slight, such as a “muscle pull” or ankle twist. But, some can be quite serious and require surgery. It is based upon the amount of tearing of the tissues, the location, and the age of the person. Some degree of swelling takes place with almost all sprains and strains. In addition, with certain injuries, especially those of the ankle and knee, there can be some internal bleeding as well. Strains and sprains require competent attention, especially during the initial stages of an injury, to insure complete healing and avoid future disability. Treatment from a competent health-care professional, such as your Santa Barbara chiropractor, is highly recommended.
The following is an acronym for the post-injury treatment of sprains and strains particularly if no professional assistance is available: PRICE
P Protect injury from more damage
R Rest the damaged body region
I Ice injury to abate swelling, bleeding, muscle spasm, and pain
C Compress injury with a specifically designed or elastic bandage to support injured tissues
E Elevate the injury, especially when dealing with ankles and knees
As already mentioned, knowledgeable assessment and treatment are essential to a total recovery. A chiropractor can ascertain the magnitude of your injury and start proper recovery treatment. Nearly all of these injuries can mend, though they do need knowledgeable care during the various stages of healing. If not cared for carefully, some sprains and strains can result in long-lasting problems such as joint instability, painful or weak joints and muscles, and lack of mobility. Experienced care of your sports injury by a chiropractor with an abundance of experience in sports injury care will insure that your injury heals properly. If you have sustained a traumatic injury, call your Santa Barbara chiropractor.
Repetitive Stress, or Overuse, Injuries
These injuries are becoming more prevalent, especially among people involved in sports such as golf, tennis, bowling, and any other activity that demands the same movement over and over (repetitively). Even running, especially on a treadmill, can produce such conditions.
Repetitious activity can generally create a minuscule strain to tissues, particularly tendons and muscles. But, it is the accumulative effects of the repetition that creates the more serious problem. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most common classes 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 undergo changes that no longer permit proper function. Certain factors predispose a person to these sorts of injury. A portion are “intrinsic,” i.e., the factor is found within a person’s own body. Other factors are “extrinsic,” which is to say that the factors are external and can frequently be changed or controlled by the sufferer.
Some of the most prevalent intrinsic factors for injury
Age is the mostcommon intrinsic factor for injury. The older a person is, the easier it is for that person to get injured. Congenital abnormalities are another factor. There are those who are born with joint or muscle problems. And, ultimately, previous injuries are a factor as they generally prohibit the joints or muscles from functioning normally.
Extrinsic factors for injury
Extrinsic factors are numerous. For instance, sports equipment can faulty–a wrong grip size of tennis racket or worn-out running shoes are prime examples, even a playing surface can be a factor, e.g., a too-hard surface for soccer or an uneven treadmill. Improper technique, like an incorrect golf grip or swing, can cause stress and strain injuries. Another factor is poor conditioning. Some men and women are injured because they aren’t in shape. Added frequency or extended duration of an activity, without developing slowly, can cause the setting for injury. Inadequate flexibility can create injury if someone is too stiff to do an activity correctly. Warming up is vital prior to sports activities and not warming up, that is, not stretching or preparing for an activity is a prevalent cause of injury. And, lastly, but perhaps surprising to some, stress is a factor. Muscles that are tense and inflexible as the result of stress are too tight and, therefore, unprepared for most sports activities.
There are a number of factors that are extrinsic and, therefore, within a person’s control. Before beginning a new sport, or as a way to ward off injury in a current sport, it’s wise to get an evaluation of your overall body condition. If you’ve been injured, it is extremely to seek out a experienced professional, like a chiropractor, to diagnose the nature of the injury and create a plan of care. If left untreated, sports injuries can greatly affect a person’s life and limit a favorite activity. Treatment such as joint manipulation, massage, bracing, and specific exercises is generally required to stabilize the condition. A chiropractor is and excellent 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 Santa Barbara Chiropractor has years of experience helping people just like you.