Chiropractic Seattle: Sports Injuries and Chiropractic Management Are The Perfect Answer
August 15th, 2009 | by admin |Chiropractic Seattle knows that sports injuries these days are not just limited to professional athletes or boys who participate in school sports programs. Today, a large number of people of both sexes and all ages are regularly participating in sports and fitness activities. There are women playing traditionally men’s sports such as soccer, basketball, and kick-boxing. Many people of both sexes play golf, tennis, basketball, and/or participate in aerobic activities like running. Unfortunately, risk of injury is always a possibility with any sports activity.
Nearly all injuries can be categorized into two fundamental types: injury from trauma such as a slip, fall or collision, and injury as the result of overuse or repetitive stress.
Traumatic Injuries
These injuries cause the debilitating difficulties often associated with trauma. As a rule injuries to the ligaments (the tissue that connects bone to bone) and to muscles are the most frequent, though the trauma of fractures and dislocations frequently occurs in contact sports. A strain is any harm to either a muscle or its tendon, and a sprain is harm to ligaments. The most frequent areas for these kinds of injuries are the ankles, knees, and shoulders, although other areas can be affected including the low back and neck. Injuries to the neck and low back can be extremely serious as the spinal cord or spinal nerves can also be affected.
A traumatic injury may be relatively benign, such as a “muscle pull” or ankle twist. But, some can be quite serious and require surgery. It is based upon the degree of tearing of the tissues, the area of the body, and the age of the person. Most sprains and strains are identified with some degree of swelling and frequently with internal bleeding, particularly with injury to the ankles and knees. Strains and sprains need proper attention, especially during the initial stages of an injury, to insure proper healing and protect against future disability. Therapy from a competent health-care professional, such as your Seattle chiropractor, is highly recommended.
If you’ve sustained an injury, the best course of action is to see a professional. Until assistance is accessible, remember the acronym, PRICE:
P Protect injury from further damage
R Rest the injury
I Ice injury to reduce swelling, bleeding, muscle spasm, and pain
C Compress injury with a specialized support or elastic bandage to support injured tissues
E Elevate the injury, expressly when the damage is to ankles and knees
As previously mentioned, appropriate evaluation and treatment are essential to a total recovery. A chiropractor can ascertain the extent of your injury and begin proper recovery treatment. When appropriate management is provided during the various stages of healing, the majority persons who have experienced sprain and strain injuries will recover. If not carefully monitored and treated, a sprain or strain injury can result in long-lasting joint instability, painful or weak joints and muscles, and lack of mobility. Expert management of your sports injury by a chiropractor with years of experience in sports injury management will insure that your injury heals properly. If you have sustained a traumatic injury, call your Seattle chiropractor.
Overuse or Repetitive Strain Injuries
These injuries are becoming more prevalent, especially among people pursuing sports such as golf, tennis, bowling, and any other activity that demands the same motion over and over (repetitively). An activity as natural and healthy as running, particularly on a treadmill, can also be a factor.
Essentially, overuse or repetitive stress injuries occur when an individual is occupied in a repetitious activity that causes a very small strain to tissues, particularly tendons and muscles, that alone would not create a problem, but repeated many times has an accumulative effect. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most frequent kinds of overuse injuries. After a while the muscle or other affected tissue develops changes that no longer allow it to function properly, resulting in pain, stiffness and disability. There are two kinds of factors that predispose a person to these types of problems: 1) Intrinsic, i.e., found within a person’s own body, and 2) Extrinsic, i.e., external factors that can often be changed or controlled by the person.
Some of the most common intrinsic factors for injury
Age is the mostwell-established intrinsic factor for injury. The older a person is, the easier it is for that individual to get injured. Congenital abnormalities are another factor. There are those who are born with joint or muscle problems. And, ultimately, previous injuries are a factor as they generally prohibit the joints or muscles from functioning properly.
Extrinsic factors for injury
Extrinsic factors are plentiful. A wrong grip size of a tennis racket, worn-out running shoes, an uneven treadmill surface, or a too-hard surface for soccer are all examples of insufficient sports equipment that can produce problems. Incorrect technique, like an improper golf grip or swing, can produce stress and strain injuries. All sports activities demand an amount of pre-conditioning, which is why people who are out of shape who continue to extend the duration of an activity without building up slowly, as well as those who lack flexibility, are injured most often. Warming up is vital prior to sports activities and lack of warm-up, that is, not stretching or preparing for an activity is a widespread cause of injury. And, finally, but perhaps surprising to some, stress is a factor. Being tired or stressed can produce tense, inflexible muscles that are too tight for most activities.
There are a number of factors that are extrinsic and, therefore, within a person’s control. Before embarking on a new sport, or as a way to ward off injury in a current sport, it’s wise to get an assessment of your overall body condition. If you’ve been injured, it is crucial to seek out a qualified professional, like a chiropractor, to diagnose the nature of the injury and prepare a plan of therapy. If left untreated, an injury will not only prohibit an individual from participating in a favorite activity, but can significantly affect someone’s life in general. Treatment such as joint manipulation, massage, bracing, and specific exercises is generally needed to stabilize the condition. A chiropractor is and excellent source of help. Call a chiropractor if you’re either thinking of beginning a new activity, you’re feeling pain related to a current sports activity, or you’ve sustained a sports injury. Your Seattle Chiropractor has years of experience helping people just like you.