Sports are a popular activity in our culture. They promote physical fitness, self-confidence, and social enjoyment. As more people of all ages participate in group, competitive, and even solitary sports, the field of sports medicine is focused on raising awareness about sports injuries, as well as expanding prevention and treatment techniques. Many sports injuries result not only from collisions and accidents, but from overuse of certain muscles and areas of the body. Taking preventative measures avoids some of the common causes of sporting injuries.
Traumatic sports injuries
Traumatic injuries such as concussions and dental damage can be prevented by wearing the proper equipment, such as helmets and mouthguards for contact sports like football and
hockey. Respecting the safety rules and regulations for team and extreme sports also helps prevent traumatic injuries.
Other traumatic injuries, such as sprains, strains, and tears can be reduced by warming up and cooling down properly and increasing your flexibility through stretching.
Overuse injuries
Overuse injuries are becoming more common as people, including youth, focus on just one or two sports. Overuse injuries occur when a particular muscle group or area of the body receives repeated stress and usage.
Combining different sport activities, as well as conditioning a broad range of muscle groups, helps break this pattern of overuse, where some parts of the body receive too much work whereas others become weakened from lack of use.
Also commit to taking time off from sports at least one day per week to give your body a break from stress and strain. Be sure to take breaks and rests during practices and long workouts.
RICE method
If you experience swelling, muscle strain, or a sprain, use the RICE method at home:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
Gradually begin working the muscle area again with gentle stretches and range of motion exercises. Return to sports slowly, making sure you are pain-free by the time you return to your normal level of activity. Contact a medical professional if you have numbness, tingling, ongoing swelling, signs of infection or inflammation, loss of movement, or pain lasting more than two weeks.
Learn more about Robinwood Orthopaedic Speciality Center’s free sports clinic, helping to prevent sports injuries for local student athletes, here!
Robinwood Orthopaedic Specialty Center treats sports injuries and orthopaedic conditions for the entire family, from newborns to seniors. With four convenient locations to serve you in Frederick, Hagerstown, Martinsburg, and Waynesboro, we provide inclusive care from diagnostics to treatment and rehabilitation. Please visit our website for more information, or call (301) 665-4950.
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