By Dr.
Jon Thomas, DC, PSc.D, Board Certified Chiropractic Physician.
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| Public Domain Image |
After the
cold months of winter, people are now playing tennis, golfing, running, and
engaging in many of the activities that they couldn’t do during the winter.
Unfortunately, some are injuring themselves.
One of
the most important things to remember whenever you are exercising is to warm
up. Unlike expensive sports cars, the human body wasn’t made to go from a state
of rest to full speed in a matter of seconds.
It’s also
important to know your limitations and not to push yourself too far too fast.
Advancing your abilities takes time and repetition which should involve a plan
and goals along the way. An important piece to include in your plan is a
functional movement assessment like those performed at Vibrant Life Health
Center. Based on your activities this will identify areas your body may have
limitations or weaknesses that a good therapy and exercise plan can address.
The result can be eliminating those points of weakness and fatigue that can
cause injury.
Lower
Back Strains
Exercising
to stay flexible and strong is one of the best ways to avoid back injuries.
Chiropractic adjustments, which put the spine into proper alignment and improve
range of motion, are one other proactive measure people can do to avoid back
injuries.
As many people
know, when lower back strain does occur, a chiropractic adjustment effectively
addresses the condition restoring proper spinal alignment. At Vibrant Life
Health Center we also address the soft tissue related to injuries to reduce
healing time and improve overall movement patterns.In many cases, a single
adjustment by a skilled practitioner can provide instant and lasting relief.
Tennis
Elbow
Tennis
players are very susceptible to a condition commonly referred to as tennis
elbow. The medical term is Epicondylitis and it can be very painful. The
twisting and stretching involved with swinging a tennis racket are the cause.
One of the frustrating things about tennis elbow is that it can take a longer
time to heal than other sports injuries.
Chiropractic
manipulations which focus on the elbow can improve an individual’s range of
motion. It can also speed up a player’s recovery so that he or she can get back
onto the court as quickly as possible.
Running
puts a lot of strain on the knees. Anyone who plays a sport that requires
running and sprinting, like baseball, basketball, or football may have knee
problems from time to time.
Knee
problems have put an end to the careers of many professional athletes.
Chiropractic treatment can strengthen the knee muscles and stretch them to
improve range of motion.
Strained
Hamstring
The
hamstrings are three muscles located in the back of the thigh. They enable
people to bend and flex at the knee. A hamstring strain is an injury to any one
of the hamstring muscles.
A
pulled hamstring is one of the most common of all injuries among all
athletes. One minor slip can stretch the hamstring too far. Sometimes a
hamstring actually tears. Some people even hear a pop when that happens. That
would be an unpleasant sound for sure!
A good
warm-up routine is one of the keys to avoiding hamstring injuries. Minor
hamstring strains can be treated with rest and ice. For serious hamstring
strains, a chiropractor can make an adjustment and massage the tissue to reduce
the time it will take to heal.
Neck
Strain
Cyclists
and mountain bikers sometimes experience neck strain and stiffness. Tennis
players can also experience neck strain from looking up repetitively to serve.
The pain can make it challenging to move the neck normally.
Ice can
relieve the discomfort of neck stiffness. Gentle stretching of the neck can
also bring relief. Stretching exercises can be used to improve flexibility and
strengthen the neck as well.
Like
adjustments to the lower back, an adjustment to the cervical spine by a skilled
and experienced chiropractor can bring instant and lasting relief to people
suffering with neck pain. In addition, improper mechanics in the neck can lead
to head aches and shoulder issues as well. Regular evaluation and chiropractic
adjustment can have a dramatic impact on reducing and eliminating these types
of issues.
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| Courtesy Oakley Originals |
Ankle
sprains involve stretching the ligaments in the ankle. Ankle sprains are very
common in nearly all sports. Landing on your foot at an odd angle or with too
much force can easily cause a sprain. Walking, running, or playing sports on
uneven surfaces increases the risk of spraining an ankle. Football, soccer, and
basketball have high incidences of ankle sprains due to the sudden changes of
direction that are required.
There may
be swelling, bruising, and difficulty in moving the ankle. Moderate ankle
sprains normally heal with time. When recuperating from an ankle sprain, it’s a
good idea to apply ice and rest the ankle. It could take four weeks or more to
heal from an ankle sprain, depending on the severity of the injury. Stretching
exercises can help the healing.
Proper
stretching and wearing shoes that fit well can help to avoid ankle injuries.
Also, as much as possible, it’s important to avoid walking or running on uneven
surfaces. People who have sprained their ankles might want to look into
temporary precautions like using a brace or taping up the ankle.
Rotator
Cuff
Rotator
cuff muscles allow precise movements with the shoulder. Rotator cuff injuries
are common in sports like softball, tennis, volleyball, swimming, and weight
lifting, which require arm motions above the head. When the rotator cuff
muscles stretch too far, they can become inflamed and cause joint pain.
For
shoulder pain that lasts more than a few days, range-of-motion exercises can
strengthen the rotator cuff muscles. Strengthening helps hold the shoulder
firmly in place.
Treatment
for serious rotator cuff injuries can include physical therapy, heat, and electrical
muscle stimulation. Chiropractic can also be very effective for treating
problems with the shoulder and the rotator cuff muscles.
Avoiding
Injuries
The best
ways to avoid sports related injuries are to stay in shape, maintain a healthy
weight, and avoid activities that might cause injuries. Staying in shape keeps
your body stronger and more flexible. Maintaining a healthy body weight
prevents excessive stress on knees and ankles.
Proper
equipment is also very important for avoiding injuries. Make sure that the gear
you use is in good working order and that it fits properly. If you have any
doubts about your gear, take it to an expert and they will check it out and
suggest any necessary improvements.
Chiropractic
care is important for athletes of all levels, from weekend warriors to
professionals. Chiropractors are familiar with skeletal structure, muscle
groups, and how they work together. A skilled Chiropractor knows how to address
injuries throughout the body.
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In this
article, I have discussed some of the most common injuries that people have in
the Springtime. I’ve also discussed how proper stretching before a workout
can help to prevent injuries and how chiropractic treatment can help when an
injury does occur.
If you
have a comment about this article, please leave it in the comments section
below. If you know of someone who might benefit from the information in this
blog, please share it with your friends, colleagues, and on social media.
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At
Vibrant Life, we address all of the key elements to add vibrance and vitality
to your life. This includes nutrition, chiropractic care, and fitness. If you
need to consult with a chiropractor about your neck, back, or any other health
concern, please contact our office to set up an appointment.
Great Article!
ReplyDeleteSpring isn't the only thing that's sprung at this time of year. So are muscle aches and back issues caused by overdoing it on the golf course, the tennis courts, and the softball diamond. That's why it's good to be on a first name basis with your chiropractor.
ReplyDeleteThis was a good reminder to watm up and stretch before working out.
ReplyDelete