Sports Injuries
When a runner injures a calf midway through a race, or a footballer pulls a hamstring as he has kicked it thousands of times before, it may not be the running or the kicking that caused the injury - but an underlying problem that is finally showing itself. Whether it is a previously undetected spine or joint problem, or years of poor posture, the resulting injury could potentially signal the end of a sporting career.
Sports injuries are very often no more than everyday problems that have been exposed when an 'occasional athlete' over-stresses his or her body when taking up a new activity.
They may result from:
Poor gait or posture
Fitness
Inadequate equipment
However, participating regularly in any sporting activity may also leave you open to the possibility of overtraining, over-use or repetitive strain injuries. These can have harmful, long-lasting effects whatever your age, so it is important that you learn to recognise the signs if you intend working hard towards your sporting goal.
They may include:
Poor practices and performances
Loss of weight
Joint or muscle pain without injuries nausea
Colds or stuffy nose
Depression, irritability, insomnia or anxiety
Remember that you will be more tired and therefore more at risk of injury, at the end of a day's work, or exercise session.
Chiropractic treatment for sports injuries concentrates on adjustments to your spine, joints and muscles, so allowing them to move correctly, and advice is given on rehabilitation and maintenance exercises to improve strength and flexibility. (long-term reliance on joint supports will reduce the range of movement and weaken the muscles, such supports will only be prescribed by your chiropractor when necessary). As chiropractic does not involve drugs or surgery, there is no risk of the side-effects associated with these treatments.
Your chiropractor has learnt many techniques and procedures to deal with sports injuries. In addition to the treatment of injuries, practitioners can carry out pre-season checks on athletes to identify, treat and strengthen any weak areas before injuries occur and can also conduct regular check-ups to maintain optimum performance.