Athletes, in general, expect that they will experience aches and pains as a result of pushing their body to its limit. No pain, no gain, right? Wrong! Sometimes, even minor discomfort can signal a serious injury. Here are some of the most common causes of sports injuries:
1. Overuse or repetitive motion injuries are the most common cause of sports injuries. Runners, swimmers and tennis players are particularly susceptible to overuse injuries, including tennis elbow, tendinitis, shin splints and shoulder impingement.
2. Sudden stopping and twisting causes foot and knee injuries, sprains and strains and torn ligaments in gymnastics, and fast-moving sports like football, soccer and basketball. Ankle sprains occur when an athlete rolls his or her foot, stretching the surrounding ligaments. The stabilizing muscles and cushioning cartilage around the knee, shoulder and other joints are also prone to tearing from an uncontrolled twist or a sudden stop.
3. Direct blows or falls can cause concussions and fractures. The natural instinct when falling is to put your hands down to break the fall. When your wrists bear your weight, they can easily stretch or tear a ligament and lead to wrist sprain.
4. Not warming up properly. Muscle cramping and pulls are often the result of jumping into an activity without properly easing the muscles into it. Warming up delivers blood and oxygen to the various muscles, allowing them to work more efficiently.
5. Wearing improper or worn-out shoes. Correct fit and support is needed to absorb impact and prevent ankle rolling and other foot-related injuries. Plantar fasciitis, the inflammation of your arch's shock absorber, is common when shoes do not fit properly or provide proper support.
6. Wrong equipment. Protective helmets not fitting properly can lead to concussions and racquet handles and other equipment that is too heavy can lead to injury.
7. Poor technique/ poor posture leads to pain. Neck pain, including spasms and pulls, is often the result of something as simple as moving your head awkwardly to see a ball or an opponent or holding your head in an unnatural position. Cyclists frequently experience neck pain if the way they grip their handlebars causes their neck muscles to tighten and spasm.
8. New or Increased Activity. Starting a new activity or increasing your level of activity too quickly can lead to muscle pain. When you begin a new exercise or sport, previously unused muscles may cramp.
9. Fatigue. Tired muscles are a common cause of muscle pulls. Resting between activity periods and building stamina over time is essential to preventing muscle pulls.
10. Hard Impacts lead to injuries such as shin splints and plantar fasciitis. Hard surfaces cause a more jarring impact on feet, legs, hips and back.
11. Unilateral Movements. Golf, tennis and other activities that involve movements by only one side of the body result in weaker muscles on the less active side, and lead to back pain.
12. Overtraining. Conditioning your body for sports requires a balance between overload and recovery. Recognizing signs of overtraining can help you change your routine to prevent problems from occurring or worsening.
Being aware of the risk factors that commonly lead to sports injuries will help prevent injuries from occurring in the first place. Strengthening your muscles, getting proper rest, eating well and working out at the proper pace are essential to staying healthy. If you suspect that you have a sports injury you should stop your activity and seek treatment, in order to prevent further injury or damage.
Chiropractic care can increase performance, decrease the chance of an injury, and decrease the chance of being sidelined by illness. Chiropractic treats acute conditions without the use of drugs or medication -- an important factor for competitive athletes, which is why elite athletes who want to perform at their very best choose chiropractic care to get and maintain a competitive edge. Olympic and professional sports teams frequently include a chiropractor on their medical teams because exercise, stretching, and massage alone cannot restore loss of motion or nervous system interference the way chiropractic adjustments do. Correcting subluxations (imbalances) with chiropractic adjustments enables the body to function and perform at its optimum level.
Dr. James A. Devine DC has been treating sports injuries in Seattle for 25 years. His patients include runners, bikers, soccer players, dancers, volleyball players, basketball players, body builders, cyclists, skiers, skateboarders, the Rat City Roller girl Roller Derby team and more. To learn more about Dr. Devine or how chiropractic care can benefit your training regimen, visit www.seattlechiropractor.com or call to schedule an appointment at Devine Chiropractic and Rehab Center in downtown Seattle at 206 623-2225.
