How to Prevent the 3 Most Common Sports Injuries
If you are an athlete, then you a likely familiar with some of the most common sports injuries. Playing sports is not only fun, but it is also a great way to exercise and stay healthy. However, it is not uncommon for even the best-conditioned athletes to get sports injuries. Preparing your body for the physical demands of sports can help you avoid sitting out during the next season.
3 common sports injuries and how to prevent them
Some sports injuries are more common than others. This makes it a good idea for you to learn more about these typical sports injuries so you can take the necessary precautions to avoid them. The list below offers information on three sports injuries that the average athlete may experience. It also includes advice on how to prevent these common sports injuries from ever occurring.
1. Sprains and strains
Sprains and strains are the most common type of sports injury an athlete will encounter. This injury happens when you place too much pressure on one of your ligaments or muscles. Too much pressure can cause ligaments and muscles to be stretched out so much that it causes damage. A sprain or strain will cause you to experience a high amount of soreness. It tends to heal on its own when it is a minor injury. If the stretching causes the ligaments and muscles to tear, then you should visit a medical professional for advice and treatment.
How to prevent sprains and strains? Warm up and stretch before every practice and game. Use dynamic warm-ups to get blood into your muscles. Stop playing the sport when any pain begins to make itself present. Maintaining a healthy weight and wearing appropriate shoes are also suggested. Use static stretches to help relieve soreness when cooling down.
2. Knee injuries
Another common sports-related injury consists of injuries to the knee. When you suffer from a knee-related injury, it usually means you have poor flexibility in their knees or are using improper techniques. This can cause your knee to dislocate or the tendons near the knee to tear.
You can prevent these injuries by improving flexibility and reducing stress on your knees. Cut back the number of miles you run per week. Wear a knee brace when playing a sport.
3. Stress fractures
A stress fracture happens when minor cracks form in the bone. This type of sports-related injury happens when the muscles around a bone are no longer able to protect the bone from injury. This type of injury is common amongst extreme athletes and long-distance runners since they repeatedly overwork their legs. While most stress fractures will heal on their own, it is always recommended to see a medical professional for evaluation.
How to prevent stress fractures? Do not try to push through the pain when running. Reduce your weekly mileage and invest in shoes that fit your foot’s arch type. Foam rolling your legs after a workout can help reduce inflammation and soreness. However, do not roll your legs after you already have a stress fracture.
Do you need pain treatment for your sports injury?
It is not uncommon for athletes to develop sports injuries from time to time. Preventative measures can help you avoid most injuries, but there may be times when they still occur. If you are in pain and cannot get past an injury, visit our sports medicine clinic for help.
Call us today at (703) 673-1558 for more information from Millennium Medical Care Manassas.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Sports Injuries in Manassas, VA.
Recent Posts
The common cold can hit you at any time, but there are points in the year when it is most prevalent. The good news is there are steps you can take to reduce your risks of getting a cold. Even if you contract a cold, you can treat the symptoms and recover. Usually, a cold…
Contracting the common cold can be easier for some people than for others. Specific risk factors increase your odds of getting sick with a cold virus. Understanding why these factors can make you sicker can help you avoid them. It could even save you a trip to the urgent care clinic. If you want to…
The common cold or allergies: many people wonder which they have when certain symptoms come up. Both can affect people of all ages and can be miserable to deal with. Viruses cause colds, while allergies are the immune system’s response to a substance. There are ways to manage colds and allergies. Still, it is helpful…
Getting the common cold is hardly an unusual occurrence. This sickness afflicts people of all ages perhaps more than any other health condition. Some people only get minor symptoms that go away within a few days. But other people can suffer significantly with a variety of ailments. It is helpful to understand what causes colds.…