Health blog Category: Sports Injuries
Athletes and Their Injuries
Often, after an injury, athletes try to get back on the field as quickly as possible or, they attempt to re-condition their bodies too quickly, after being relatively inactive in the off-season. However, despite proper conditioning, no matter how well-conditioned your athlete is, injuries can still occur.
Whatever the scenario, physical therapy is a very effective method to both prevent and rehabilitate a sports related injury. It addresses the issue before it becomes a much more serious problem, that could sideline your athlete for a prolonged period of time.
Stay in the Game: Avoid Sports Injuries
All sports we participate in, whether it be football, rugby, volleyball, soccer, field hockey, or many others, require a wide range of movements. Athletes have to be able to jump, run, change direction, and change speed. With so much variability, the possibility of sustaining an injury while practicing or playing is common. Injuries can pertain to specific muscles or joints, ranging from muscle strains (“pulled muscles: or tear in muscle tissue) to sprains of ligaments that help stabilize joints.
Read full blogConcussion Management at LSTC
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that alters the way our brain functions. When the brain sustains trauma, it is our body’s natural reaction to respond and in doing so, the body releases chemicals to help in the healing process. These chemical alterations cause a change in the blood flow and metabolic activity surrounding our brain, and are likely the cause of post concussion symptoms. It is important to remember that every concussion is different and our body’s response will be different from others.
Read full blogInjury Prevention: Basketball
Given that basketball requires a lot of stress on your lower body and extremities. some common injuries include:
- Ankle instability
- Patellofemoral pain
- Hip pain/impingement
- Low back pain
In the same aspect, given basketball requires the upper extremities to shoot, rebound, and defend, some other common injuries in the upper extremities include:
- Shoulder impingement and instability
- Wrist, hand, and elbow pain
- Scapular dyskinesis
At LSTC, we have the pleasure of treating and preventing injuries in many athletes, including basketball athletes.
Read full blogStrengthening and Biomechanics
Strengthening is a key component to focus on when trying to improve an athlete’s performance. However, before any kind of heavy lifting occurs, the athlete must understand the basic movements needed to perform their sport. This is known as biomechanics.
Mechanics of the sport:
- Flexibility
- Technique/Core Work
- Appropriate Strengthening Program
- Adequate Rest
- GAINS
Mechanics refers to the working parts of something.
Read full blogDon’t Let an Injury Sideline You!
Have you…
- Had a prior sport related injury?
- Had a prior injury of any kind?
- Had pain during training or workouts?
- Recently started or soon starting a new sport season?
- Training for new sports/competition?
- Known someone who has a season ending injury?
Here’s how you can prevent sports injuries!
Injury occurs when one of two factors are present:
- Repetitive Actions: Most sport and athletic competition involves repetitive motion.
Overuse of Injuries
Overuse injuries can be any chronic condition that stems from repetitive motion or force through a joint that places a significant amount of stress (over time) on the joint or surrounding tissue. These injuries can affect your bone, cartilage, tendons, and muscles. Some injuries produce a constant dull, ache; while others you may feel more sharp and pinching pain, depending on the area.
Some examples of overuse injuries are:
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (Shin Splints)
Shin splints may lead to some sort of stress reaction/fracture in the tibia if not taken care of.
Stretching Can Help Avoid Injury
Have you ever gotten up after sitting in a movie theater for a couple of hours and felt really stiff? Whenever you are stuck in the same position for a long period of time it is pretty common for the muscles around your joints to get tight and stiff. If it goes away relatively quickly, then no harm done, however if it’s something that takes longer than usual, you may want to look into a good stretching program.
Read full blogRunning Too Much, Too Soon Can Cause Shin Splints
Doing too much, too soon can be a recipe for shin splints!
What are shin splints?
Shin splints, also known as medial tibial stress syndrome, MTSS, are an overuse injury caused by repetitive stress to the lower legs. It’s common for runners to get them especially when they don’t gradually increase their mileage. Remember feeling pain in your shins right your first few practices at the start of a sports season?
Read full blogKnee Injuries Don’t Just Occur In Sports
Whether it is sports related or just degenerative changes that occur as you age, at one point or another you have probably experienced a knee injury. Some of the most common injuries are osteoarthritis, ligament injuries and meniscus injuries. All of these cause pain, weakness in your knees and a decrease your ability to participate in some activities.
Ligament injuries more commonly occur with the more active patient population.
Sports such as soccer and basketball that involve jumping, planting of the leg, or a change in direction can cause ACL tears.
