In some way or another, people are overwhelmingly interested in sports. They either compete or play for fun, or at least sit back and enjoy on the TV.
Whereas health is concerned, practicing sports has several benefits to it. It comes with an array of injuries which can be very serious at times. These sports injuries can be due to accidents, flawed techniques, improper equipment, worst training practices, and more.
In some cases, you may need to require surgery for healing. Moreover, injuries are at times caused by the beforehand stretching muscles and not warming up before playing.
These severe injuries can only be relieved by a concerning sports chiropractor. Chiropractic care usually involves diagnosing preventive care and treatment for joints, nervous system, pelvis, spine, etc. It helps by elevation, compression, ice, and rest techniques.
By following such methods, you will have speedy healing, reduction in swelling, and it would relieve pain as well. Here are the top ten sports injuries with chiropractic care treatment:
Sports Injuries and Chiropractic treatment
1. Knee Injuries
Knee Injuries are the most reported sports injuries treated by orthopedic surgeons. Around five million people visit doctors yearly.
The total ratio of knee injuries as compared to other sports injuries is 55%. Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) and Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), i.e., Runner’s Knee and Jumpers Knee, are the most common mild knee injuries. ITBS and PFPS is an overuse injury faced by biker and runners, which causes more pain outside the knee.
Moreover, swimmers and cyclists, volleyball, basketball, and football players are also victims of the PFPS. It creates irritation below the knee cap of victims due to injury.
Treatment:
The treatment for ITBS and PFPS is to bring your left knee up to your shoulder by lying down on your back. After that, with the help of palm, over to the right shoulder, push your knee.
It is also recommended to replace insoles and shoes regularly, avoid hard pavement, and prefer smooth indoor track for running. Prevent overuse by taking more rest. Take anti-inflammatory medication, apply ice on the knee, and warm-up before practicing.
2. Achilles Tendinitis
The Achilles tendon is an injury which is caused by the band of tissues which connects lower leg calf muscles till the heel bone. By having this injury, you are unable to walk correctly.
Most victims of this injury are runners when they increase their duration or intensity from which inflammation to the tendons occurs. The injury affecting the lower leg back is Achilles tendon rupture due to playing recreational games.
Treatment:
The best treatment is the massage and gentle stretching of calf muscles. It helps the blood flow and stimulates breaking down of scar tissues. The solution to a rupture is possibly surgery, but in some cases, the non-surgical treatment also works.
Avoid jumping, hill running, and other activities. It is suggested to practice low impact exercises and increase the training intensity slowly.
3. Hamstring Injury
The most common injury among athletes is a hamstring injury. It occurs at the back of the thigh, and tendons are affected with the tear or strain. A hamstring injury has different levels of severity, i.e., Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3.
A mild muscle pull or strain, a partial muscle tear and complete muscle tear, respectively. The leading causes of this injury are stretching the muscles beyond your limits, such as jumping, lunging, sprints, and sudden movements.
Treatment:
Precautionary steps such as warm-up before practicing any sport. Start doing simple hamstring stretches once the pain is leaving the body. Perform hamstring excises such as cycling and walking. Don’t practice sports for a few weeks to months as per the severity.
4. Arch Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)
Along the length of the arch, the dull ache is affected by plantar fasciitis inflammation. Plantar fasciitis is the elastic pad covering the whole foot.
The ache occurs because of partially tearing or stretching of an arch pad. High rigid arches are the reasons for this pain, and athletes suffer when the next stride is stressed.
Treatment:
Since this condition usually occurs with runners, it is suggested to put support underfoot and slippers, which will relieve the pain. Start the exercise slowly, under athletic shoes wear arch support. Swimming and water workouts are beneficial, while the foot is under-recovery.
5. Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder Impingement occurs when stress is constant on the joint of shoulder from which rotator cuff muscles are pressed and stretched. It happens during weight training, swimming, volleyball, tennis, and softball. Golfers, tennis players are the most vibrant victims.
Treatment:
This problem is often overlooked yet eventually treated by the corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory injections. These treatments give relief for a short time only.
A range of motion exercises should be done to strengthen the rotator cuffs. It will place the shoulder firmly keeping the tendons and sockets at the right place and eliminate the irritation and inflammation.
6. Shin Splints
Shin splints are very common in runners and often occur at the ankle, foot and on the lower leg side, i.e., on the shin bone.
Treatment:
Take rest, use ice regularly, take anti-inflammatory pain killers and utilize orthotics
7. Groin Pull
Groin strain or grown pull occurs when there is a lack of flexibility and sudden side to side movements. It mostly happens to the volleyball and football players, racket sports, basketball, hockey, and soccer players. When having a groin pull, you might feel thigh bruising, swelling, and sharp pain.
Treatment:
Before exercising stretch the body properly to avoid the groin pulls. Avoid sudden jumps, gradually increase the activities intensity. Avoid strenuous activities, and apply ice to heal.
8. Lower Back Strain
Lower back strains occur in many forms like sciatica, stress fractures, back spasms, and bulging discs. It affects the baseball and tennis players, golfers, cyclists, and runners.
The primary cause is poor preparation, weakness, and improper training techniques. It might change the posture of the person as well because often it is chronic.
Treatment:
Practice gentle pain-free stretching exercises. Anti-inflammatory medications are useful too, but it is highly recommended to apply heat to the muscle spasm, but if pain persists consult a pain specialist.
9. Fractures
Broken bones, referred to as fractures, are a common injury in sports. These fractures can be of two types: an acute fracture or a stress fracture.
Treatment:
For complete healing, surgery is must, and often fractures are classified under emergency conditions. Even after surgery, avoid jumping or running.
10. Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Tennis elbow occurs due to the strenuous activity, which put stress on the forearm tendons and muscles. Epicondylitis is the pain around the elbow caused by tennis elbow.
Treatment:
The best treatment is the strengthening exercises for the forearm, i.e., soft rubber ball squeezing, wrist curls. Wear the elbow brace, avoid painful tendon activities, utilize cold packs and ice on pain, take hot baths, and try elevating your elbow.
