While increased participation in physical activity is to be encouraged
for the health benefits that it can provide, some people are putting themselves
at an increased risk by failing to properly warm up or safely train.
Although there are effective treatments for many
sports injuries, and those who sustain sports injuries are often able to return
to participation at some level, by taking the appropriate precautions, many
sports injuries can be prevented. You can also help younger, active children
with infant massage and baby massage.
Here we look at six facts
about sports injuries, with a particular focus on treatment:
1) What are
‘Sports Injuries’?
‘Sports injuries’ is a broad term that relates to the types of injuries
that result from participation in sports or exercise. These injuries occur for
a broad range of reasons, including: accidents, inadequate training practices,
substandard or inappropriate equipment, an absence of conditioning and
inadequate warm-ups and stretching.
2)
Musculoskeletal Injuries
While sports injuries can affect almost any part of the body, injuries
affecting the musculoskeletal system (including bones, muscles and tissues such
as cartilage) are by far the most common. Physiotherapists commonly see and
treat people who have sustained injuries to their musculoskeletal system and
support them with physio exercises and soft tissue manipulation.
3) The
Seriousness of Sport Injuries
Some sports injuries require first aid and the immediate attention of
emergency personnel, while others can be treated by a qualified and skilled
professional, such as a physiotherapist. Physios provide varied and extensive
support including exercise rehabilitation and specific exercises to strengthen
muscles and joints, so that your presenting injury is not only treated but
future injuries are prevented.
4) Treatment
Beyond the immediate treatment to a sports injury (rest, ice,
compression and elevation), there are a number of different ways that sports
injuries can be treated.
The purpose of rehabilitation (in the form of
exercise), is to return the injured body part to its normal range and level of
function. While a physio will provide specific exercises and recommendations,
it is often the case that getting the body part moving as quickly as possible
following an injury expedites its healing. Mobilisation commonly begins with a
range of gentle exercises designed to increase range of motion. Then the
treatment progresses to deeper stretching and strengthening exercises.
As a person’s injury heals and scar tissue forms, the
risk of re-injury is heightened by damaged tissues that are tight or stiff. In
light of this, stretching and strengthening exercises are all the more important.
5) Non-Steroidal
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Another treatment for sports injuries is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs. While inflammation is critical for healing, it can also hinder the
healing process if it is not checked and managed. As a result, some doctors and
health professionals advise patients to take such anti-inflammatory drugs as:
aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium.
No one anticipates sustaining a sports injury, but
the reassuring news is that there are some effective treatments available
through health professionals, such as physiotherapists. While treatment should
always be sought for sports injuries, it is vitally important that individuals
also commit to the prevention and re-occurrence of injuries.
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