Being active and doing sports is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have, especially since it provides many benefits to your body. However, there is always that risk of suffering an injury when playing a sport, which could be quite disastrous. Many of these injuries can easily heal over time, but some serious conditions require sports physiotherapy and treatment from a professional. Here are some of the most common sports injuries, including ways to avoid them.
Ankle Sprain
This is something you see in almost every basketball or football game you’ve ever watched, making it quite a common injury. When ankle sprains occur during strenuous physical activities, the pain and severity can be further aggravated due to the increased levels of speed and force. From slight abnormal looseness of the ankle joint to a complete ligament tear, ankle sprains can go from something a little rest could fix to something serious that requires surgery.
To prevent ankle sprains from happening, it’s best to do some ankle stretches and strengthen exercises before playing. Proper footwear is also a must to protect you from slips and falls that lead to you spraining your ankle.
Groin Pull
A groin pull, or groin strain, results from putting too much pressure on the muscles in your groin and thigh areas. This can result from overuse of the muscles or from sudden contraction or overstretching of the muscles. Groin pulls are common in people who play sports that involve a lot of jumping and running around.
The best way to avoid groin pulls is to be mindful of the extent of your movement. Pushing your body to move in almost impossible directions and speed can lead to groin pulls. In case you suffer from this injury, you can apply ice to the inside of your thigh to reduce pain and swelling.
Hamstring Strain
Athletes and dancers often suffer from hamstring strains due to their movement. When suffering a hamstring strain, one or more of your muscles in the area gets overloaded. Any movement that involves a lot of jumping, running, or sudden stopping, can lead to a hamstring strain.
The RICE method is an excellent way of avoiding hamstring strains, which means you need to rest, put some ice on it, keep pressure on it, and keep the part elevated. This helps in speeding up the healing process avoiding more severe circumstances. As much as possible, avoid putting too much weight on your leg and practice stretching and strengthening exercises whenever possible. If you still feel pain in the affected area after all this, it’s best to call a professional and have a health and fitness check.
Knee Injuries
Another common sports injury can range from repetitive strains to ACL tears that could require some surgery to fix. Same with ankle injuries, ligament tears also happen on the knee and can cause excruciating pain to the individual. Ligament injuries can cause excruciating pain and limit the extent of your mobility. Patellofemoral syndrome, also known as “runner’s knee,” is an overuse injury that occurs when the tendon below the kneecap becomes inflamed and irritated.
To avoid knee injuries, wear appropriate footwear as well as supportive insoles. Cross-training to promote different movement patterns also helps in preventing overuse of your knees.
Conclusion
Sports injuries are quite common and should be taken seriously. Many people don’t realise that we are very much susceptible to injury even if we stay active and exercise. Most of the time, it’s because of staying active that causes us to get injured. Take heed of these common injuries, and make sure you take the necessary steps to prevent them from ever happening to you.
Invigor Health offers the treatment and tools you need to experience long-term pain relief while staying active and fit. We help you get rid of the pain in your body for good and make sure you remain pain-free for the rest of your active life. Experience our injury prevention physiotherapy in Bondi, NSW, to make you feel better. Contact us today to book an appointment.
