Common sports injuries

Sports injuries are a common risk regardless of the sport or the skill level of the athlete. But when it comes to the most common sports injuries, is there something you can do to lessen the chance of suffering an injury while playing? Back in Motion looks at some of the most common sports injuries and what you can do to avoid them.

Joint sprains

Turning an ankle or twisting a knee are among the most common sports injuries in all sports. Anyone can take a bad step and sprain an ankle. Athletes who play sports with a lot of lateral movement like basketball, soccer and tennis are more likely to sprain an ankle or knee.

What can you do about it?

Know your body’s fatigue point. When we get tired, our technique can get sloppy and the body’s movements are less crisp. While pushing your limits is how you improve, there is a point of diminishing returns where the risk of injury outweighs that gain.

Understanding your body’s limit can reduce your risk of suffering an injury where a momentary lapse in concentration can cause the bad step that sprains an ankle.

Concussions

In many contact sports, there is risk of suffering a blow to the head that causes a concussion. Falls to the ground can also cause concussion which makes sports like cheerleading and gymnastics dangerous for its athletes.

What can you do to reduce your risk of concussion?

In a contact sport such as football or hockey, wear a properly fitting helmet. A loose or poorly fitting helmet does not offer the same protection and can increase your chance of suffering a concussion.

Wear a custom fit mouthguard. It helps absorb the shock from a blow to the head or jaw. It also stabilizes the head and neck. Custom fit mouthguards have been shown to reduce concussion rates in football players who use them.

Physical therapy for common sports injuries

Nothing can completely eliminate the risk of suffering a common sports injury. Fortunately, Back in Motion has skilled therapists who can effectively treat your sports injury. If you have recently gotten injured while playing your favorite sport, contact us today to set up your initial appointment.