How Can Chiropractors Help Sports Injuries?
June 29, 2009Sports injuries, these days are not just limited to professional athletes or boys who participate in school sports programs. Today, men and women of all ages are involved in regular sports and fitness activities. As a whole, most 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 a possibility with any sports activity.
Most of injuries fall into two categories: 1) traumatic injury, such as a slip, fall, or collision and, 2) repetitive stress or overuse injury.
Traumatic Injuries
These injuries create the debilitating difficulties often associated with trauma. A high percentage of traumatic injuries are to the ligaments, the tissue that connects bone to bone, and to body muscles, although fractures and dislocations do happen at times, especially with contact sports. Trauma to a ligament is called a sprain, while trauma to a muscle or its tendon is a strain. The most common areas for these types of injuries are the ankles, knees, and shoulders, although other areas can be affected including the low back and neck. Because the spinal cord and/or spinal nerves can be involved, injury to the neck and low back can be extremely serious.
Traumatic injuries can extend from a mild “muscle pull” or ankle twist to a serious problem necessitating surgery. It is contingent upon the severity of tearing of the tissues, the area of the body, and the age of the person. Some amount of swelling takes place with the majority of sprains and strains. In addition, with certain injuries, particularly those of the ankle and knee, there can be some internal bleeding as well. With all strains and sprains proper management is very important, especially during the initial stages of the injury to insure complete healing and protect against future disability. Treatment from a competent health-care professional, such as your Santa Barbara chiropractor, is highly advisable.
Listed below is an acronym for the post-injury management of sprains and strains expressly if no professional assistance is available: PRICE
P Protect injury from further damage
R Rest the injured area
I Ice injury to lessen swelling, bleeding, muscle spasm, and pain
C Compress injury with a specifically designed or elastic bandage to support injured tissues
E Elevate the injury, expressly when the damage is to ankles and knees
As previously mentioned, appropriate evaluation and treatment are vital to a complete recovery. A chiropractor can ascertain the degree of your injury and institute proper recovery treatment. When proper management is given during the various stages of healing, the majority those who have suffered sprain and strain injuries will recover. 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. A chiropractor that is trained in the care of sports injuries can deliver the proper advice and management you’ll need to insure that your injury will mendl in the best possible way. If you have sustained a traumatic injury, call your Santa Barbara chiropractor.
Overuse or Repetitive Strain Injuries
These injuries are becoming more and more common, particularly among those going out for sports such as golf, tennis, bowling, and any other activity that requires the same motion over and over (repetitively). An activity as uncomplex and healthy as running, particularly on a treadmill, can also be a factor.
Repetitious activity can generally create a minuscule strain to tissues, particularly tendons and muscles. However, it is the accumulative effects of the repetition that causes the more serious problem. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most frequent classes of overuse injuries. Eventually the muscle or other affected tissue establishes changes that no longer permit it to function correctly, resulting in pain, stiffness and disability. Certain factors predispose a person to these types of injury. A few are “intrinsic,” i.e., the factor is found within a person’s own body. Other factors are “extrinsic,” i.e., that the factors are external and can generally be changed or controlled by the individual.
Some of the most common intrinsic factors for injury
Age is the mostgeneral 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 frequently prevent the joints or muscles from functioning correctly.
Extrinsic factors for injury
There are quite a few extrinsic injury factors. A wrong grip size of a tennis racket, worn-out running shoes, an uneven treadmill surface, or a too-hard surface for soccer are all cases of insufficient sports equipment that can produce problems. Inept technique, like an incorrect golf grip or swing, can cause stress and strain injuries. Another factor is poor conditioning. A number of individuals are injured because they are out of shape. Added frequency or prolonged duration of an activity, without easing slowly, can produce the setting for injury. Insufficient flexibility can produce injury if a person is too stiff to do an activity properly. Warming up is very important prior to sports activities and lack of warm-up, that is, not stretching or preparing for an activity is a widespread cause of injury. And, finally, but perhaps surprising to some, stress is a factor. Being tired or stressed can create tense, inflexible muscles that are too tight for most activities.
It is encouraging to remember that the majority of factors are extrinsic and, therefore, they are factors that can be individually controlled. Before embarking on a new sport, or as a way to prevent injury in a current sport, it’s smart to get an assessment of your general body condition. If you’ve been injured, it is extremely to seek out a competent professional, like a chiropractor, to diagnose the nature of the injury and design a plan of treatment. If left untreated, sports injuries can significantly affect a person’s life and limit a favorite activity. Treatment such as joint manipulation, massage, bracing, and specific exercises is often needed 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.