Merced Chiropractor

Sports injuries are incidents that most athletes and coaches are familiar with. They can temporarily disable the athlete, but in many cases can disable the entire team. An injured team member can hurt the outcome of games and can have enduring influence on the season as well. Similar to the way a team is influenced by a benched member, a hurt body part affects the entire body. Injuries such as sprained ankles, hyper-extended knees, and shin splints can be caused by bad form, lack of flexibility, and too much use of the feet and lower legs. As reported by medical doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, the majority of athletes develop shin splints sometime during their career. Here’s how to avoid and heal these painful problems, as well as preventing other common sports injuries.

How Sports Can Cause Shin Splints to Occur

Shin splints cause symptoms such as pain in the front or side areas of the lower leg. The pain can be constant and debilitating, especially when adding pressure on the affected leg. There can also be swelling in the area that can produce tightness as well as make tissues appear swollen around the muscles. No matter what type of activity, from running to football any athlete can be afflicted by these conditions. Treatment for shin splints should be started right away to begin the healing process immediately. Shin splints treatment started by physical therapists includes rest, elevation, and icing of the affected area for 1 to 2 days. Ongoing physical therapy and preventative exercises include calf and ankle strengthening moves and stretching of the Achilles tendon and the front leg muscles that surround the shin bone.

Ankle and Knee Injuries Can Make the Season Come to a Halt

Another type of injury that is seen in impact sports is twisting of the ankle and knee. This is caused by either a forceful injury, which cannot be avoided, or from weak muscles of the lower leg, knee, and ankle. Strengthening weak muscles can be accomplished through weight lifting or sports therapy-approved exercises that target the muscular areas that support the knees and ankles. Weak muscles lead to tendons and ligaments that cannot hold the bones and muscles together tightly so that simple movements or athletic activities can cause twisting injuries. Another helpful measure for avoiding these types of injuries are to provide the feet with the ideal amount of foot arch support. This can be accomplished with the use of orthotic arch supports made especially for athletic activities. The medical professionals at the Cleveland Clinic also recommend taping the arch for extra foot arch support during games.

How Tearing Injuries Happen

Rupturing of the connective tissues are also widespread types of sports injuries. This is most commonly found in the connecting structures of the knees and back of the heels. An Achilles injury is commonly caused by little flexibility in the heel tendon due to poor stretching form. This is a vital part in the preparation procedure that must be taken seriously. Mild stretches without much force are suggested for anyone about to exercise. Holding the stretch for a minimum of 30 seconds, resting for a few moments, then repeating the stretch is what kinesiology specialists suggest. ACL (Anterior cruciate ligaments) are located in the knee and help hold the knee structure together. Injuries to this area can be avoided by strength training the knee and lower leg through leg extension exercises and curls. Orthotics can help prevent both of these type of injuries by giving proper arch support, alignment of the feet, and cushion.