When you hear the term ‘sports injuries’, you might be tempted to think of the type of injuries which professional athletes sustain. However, sports injuries can be picked up by all sorts of people, from amateur runners, gym junkies or those who keep fit to stay healthy. The most common causes of sports injuries include:
• Not warming up sufficiently prior to exercise
• Not warming down correctly after a workout
• Pushing too hard for the current level of fitness
• Overuse of a joint or other part of the body
• Ill-fitting footwear or poor technique
These causes can lead to injuries such as:
• Muscle sprains
• Torn ligaments or tendons
• Fractured bones
• Or following repetitive movement over a period of time, tendonitis.
You may also think that you should only start some form of treatment once you have sustained an injury, but this may not be the case. At Halesowen Osteopathic Practice we are firm believers that prevention is better than cure. In fact, a regular sports massage could help to reduce the risk of injury for the following reasons:
• It can aid in the restoration of the musculo-skeletal system, helping to keep the body in the correct alignment, which means you shouldn’t experience unnecessary pressure on a particular side of the body
• The massage technique will help to reduce muscular tension within the body, making it more able to deal with any stresses experienced during exercise
• Massage can help to improve blood flow within the muscle, helping it to remove waste efficiently and providing a greater range of movement
• The muscles are able to increase or decrease in length and tone as required, and tired and aching muscles can be relieved as and when necessary.
Whilst accidents do occur, many injuries can be prevented by taking a few simple precautions. Before taking on any new sports or undergoing a fitness programme, it is advisable to visit an osteopath to ensure your body is in the correct alignment and to identify any potential areas of weakness which may need addressing. Sports such as running are extremely high impact, therefore it is important that the distance is built up slowly, so that the ligaments and tendons are strong enough to support the skeleton effectively.
It is also vital to warm up properly before a training session to make sure your muscles receive the necessary amount of blood flow and are at the relevant temperature for the activity. Warming down will allow your muscles to relax and return to a resting state, whilst also allowing your heart rate to come back down to normal.
Whatever type of exercise you choose to do, you must always wear the correct type of footwear. Many injuries are caused by poorly fitting footwear, so always visit a specialist shop to be fitted correctly for trainers.
If you are thinking of taking up a new sport or if you are experiencing some niggling pains following exercise, you might find that a sports massage will be highly beneficial. A regular massage from one of our osteopaths at Halesowen Osteopathic Practice will have you feeling energised and ready to push your body to the next level. Give us a call on 0121 585 8555 to find out more.
