Sports injuries
Sports injuries & how osteopathy can help
Sports activities are a regular way of life for many of us now, and involve people from across all age groups from those who have an avid interest to those who just wish to keep fit; from the elite professional to the casual participant.
Why sports injuries happen
Many of the injuries are the result of overuse i.e. playing too hard and too often e.g. tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and biceps tendinitis, or from not warming up properly beforehand or not cooling down after exercise.
Sometimes incorrect equipment can lead to injury - ill-fitting footwear can cause hip, knee and foot injury (e.g. Achilles injuries).
Sports injuries in older people
Reduced joint flexibility will affect the degree of performance and may result in injury if the player is unaware that they cannot perform to the same level as they used to.
For example golfers who cannot turn at the waist as well as they used to, and the enthusiastic older footballer whose knees do not bend as well as they once did!
Young people & sport
Young people especially are vulnerable in sport as their growing bodies are often expected to perform to high standards - putting exceptional physical demands on them.
Treating injuries promptly helps them to heal in the most effective way possible, reducing the risk of additional stresses on the rest of the body.
Reducing training intensity at times of high growth rates means that their body will come back stronger and more able, setting them up for a successful sporting career.
Osteopathy and sports injuries
An osteopath can help improve performance as well as treat the injuries being suffered.
By using their knowledge of diagnosis and highly developed palpatory skills they can help to restore structural balance, improve joint mobility and reduce adhesions and soft–tissue restrictions so that ease of movement is restored and performance enhanced.
For those of you wishing to keep fit, the osteopath can help you keep supple and improve muscle tone so reducing the risk of injury to soft-tissues unaccustomed to the extra work they are being asked to do.
Remember:
- Begin slowly and build up, especially after an injury
- Warm up first, and then cool down with stretches afterwards
- Drink plenty of water when exercising
- Exercise regularly, and try to alternate the types of exercise that you are doing every day.
- Following a joint injury
- Ice the area for 10 minutes, every hour, if practical.
- Apply a bandage to compress the tissues.
- Elevate and rest if possible.