Whether it is an adult or a child participating and competing in a sport it is never without the risk of injury. Not only are you trying to be the best, but you are working hard to maintain a healthy body. Unfortunately, all it takes is one injury to ruin your sports career for good; and possibly affect your quality of life.
The more contact there is in a sport, the higher the risk for traumatic injury. Even some non-contact, leisure sports can lead to injuries, such as Golfers Elbow. By knowing how to prevent these types of injuries, you can stay in the game and keep yourself safe.
How to Prevent Injuries during Sports
Hockey, golfing, tennis, soccer, and even running can all be rough on the body. While you are working on perfecting your skill in the game, do follow these tips for preventing some of the most common sports injuries.
- Knee Pain – Knee pain is a common complaint for many athletes. It is especially common among athletes that are overweight, because every pound of weight adds extra pressure on the knee. Some athletes push themselves too hard; you need to allow enough time for knees to rest and rejuvenate in between sessions. Also, if you are a jogger, make sure you are wearing the right type of shoe and avoid running on grass or worn paths as they put more strain on your knees. Lastly, be cautious about lunges and squats. Never let your knee bend beyond a 90-degree angle.
- Shin Splints – These can be extremely painful. To avoid them, build your exercise and sport levels up gradually; do not join an extreme sport right out the gate. When running, keep strides short and avoid landing on your heels or toes. Lastly, do not forget to wear a supportive shoe.
- Tennis Elbow – Stretching and strengthening your arm muscles and keeping them flexible is important. Also, using the right hitting technique while playing tennis and not overusing your arm with unnecessary, repeated movements can help. If you play tennis regularly, consider wearing a counterforce brace to distribute pressure evenly throughout your muscles.
- Golfers Elbow – Just like tennis elbow, Golfers Elbow requires strengthening and stretching of the arm muscles regularly. The most common cause of Golfers Elbow is improper form, so if you are new to golf, get a few lessons from an instructor to correct your form, check your grip and ensure you are swinging correctly.
Already Injured? Get the Right Treatment
While preventing sports injuries is key, getting proper treatment once you are injured is important too. Visit a sports injury clinic in Calgary to have your injuries assessed and get on the proper course of treatment so that you can get back to doing what you love.
Alberta Back and Neck Rehab & Sports Injuries Clinic can help you get relief from your sports injuries. Call us at 403-234-0040 or contact us online to schedule your appointment.