Sports injuries
Preventing injuries
Sports activities are a regular way of life for many of us now, and
involve people from across all age groups from those who have an avid
interest to those who just wish to keep fit; from the elite professional
to the casual participant.
Many of the injuries are the result of overuse i.e. playing too hard
and too often e.g. tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and biceps tendinitis,
or from not warming up properly beforehand or from not warming down
after exercise.
Sometimes incorrect equipment can lead to injuries – ill-fitting
footwear can cause hip, knee and foot injury (e.g. Achilles injuries).
Reduced joint flexibility will affect the degree of performance and
may result in injury if the player is unaware that they cannot perform
to the same level as they used to, for example golfers who cannot
turn at the waist as well as they used to, and the enthusiastic older
footballer whose knees do not bend as well as they once did.
Young people especially are vulnerable in sport as their growing bodies
are often expected to perform to high. The good news is that although
sports injuries are common, those who are fit tend to recover more
quickly and easily from their injuries.
How Osteopathy can help
An osteopath can help improve performance as well as treat the injuries
being suffered.
By using their knowledge of diagnosis and highly developed palpatory
skills they can help to restore structural balance, improve joint
mobility and reduce adhesions and soft tissue restrictions so that
ease of movement is restored and performance enhanced.
For those of you wishing to keep fit, the osteopath can help you keep
supple and improve muscle tone so reducing the risk of injury to soft
tissues unaccustomed to the extra work they are being asked to do.
Advice on diet and exercise which will help you with your specific
sport may also be offered.
Remember
• Begin slowly and build up, especially after an injury
• Warm up first, and then warm down with stretches afterwards
• Drink plenty of water when exercising
• Exercise regularly, and try to alternate the types of exercise
that you are doing every day
• Following a joint injury apply ice to the area for 10 minutes,
every hour, if practical. Apply a bandage to compress the tissues.
Elevate and rest if possible.
