As recreational sports and fitness day (February 22nd) approaches, now is the perfect time to reflect on how to stay safe while being active. Sports-related injuries are all too common, can be painful, and have long-term effects if not adequately treated. In this blog, you'll learn about the different types of sports-related injuries, how they occur, and what steps can be taken to reduce the risk of suffering from an injury.
The Most Common Sports Injury
Sports injuries are frequent for individuals of all ages and can happen during any physical activity. Most injuries occur from a critical moment, such as a twisted ankle or suddenly stopping running. Still, others are accumulative due to extended overuse of certain body parts. People playing team sports often get sprains and strains from contact with other players, while individual athletes suffer from pulled muscles or tendinitis resulting from repetitive motion.
The most common sports injury is typically knee pain due to its extensive use in various exercises and movements; other than that, shoulder dislocations and stiff necks and backs are common. Overuse injuries can also occur from repeated exercises, such as a runner developing shin splints or a baseball player who overdoes pitching practice and experiences shoulder pain. In more physically aggressive sports, concussions and other traumatic brain injuries may be present, as well as facial lacerations, scrapes, bruises, fractures, and even dislocated joints.
How Can I Avoid A Sports Injury?
Avoiding injury while playing sports or exercising is critical to staying safe and healthy. Properly stretching and warming up before any physical activity is a must. A common mistake among athletes is to pay attention to the importance of stretching and jumping right into their workout; this can lead to pulled muscles or other issues. Additionally, wearing the right type of clothing can help reduce the risk of cuts and abrasions and regulate your body temperature. It's also important to stay hydrated with plenty of water to avoid heat exhaustion or worse.
Finally, when participating in activities you feel might be beyond your skill level, ensure your body is conditioned for higher impact levels by gradually increasing the intensity over time. Exercise should always be enjoyable, and with these cautionary steps in mind, it can be. If you find yourself injured while playing a sport or exercising, it is important to seek medical attention. Our team can help you recover successfully from a sports-related injury by providing expert chiropractic care.
For all of your care needs and questions, contact Amazing Spine Care at (904) 320-0808!
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