Sports-related injuries are a common cause of impairment in athletes. Injuries affect their performance and enjoyment of their sport. Proper injury management is vital to helping athletes excel because it helps to reduce the chances of disability. A quick recovery is also a must with competitive athletes who don’t want to lose their edge and young athletes who can’t wait to get back to the game.
CAUSES
Sport-related injuries occur when the load exerted on a tissue exceeds its tolerance. This can occur suddenly and cause tears or bone fractures, or it can happen gradually over time, causing an accumulation of microtraumas and eventually leading to dysfunctions, such as stress fractures from running[NW18] . Contact injuries are often associated with whiplash and concussion injuries, but direct contact isn’t always necessary. For example, falling hard on your back could cause your neck to whip back, resulting in whiplash, and if severe enough, could even result in a concussion.
PREVENTION
Preventing sports-related injuries is important. Performing sport-specific drills and increasing body proprioception[NW19] and coordination can help. Other ways to help prevent injury include limiting activity when recovering from a previous injury, avoiding activities when fatigued or tired, and wearing appropriate equipment or bracing.
REHABILITATION
If you have suffered an injury, rehabilitation protocols and management strategies should be implemented as soon as possible. This can help speed up recovery time, decrease disability and lower the risk of recurrence.
COMMON INJURIES WE CAN HELP WITH:
- Ligament sprains and tears
- Muscle strains and tears
- Bone fractures and bruising
- Torn cartilage/ labrum/ meniscus[NW20]
- Unstable joints
- Whiplash
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Concussion
TREATMENT
Treatment approaches will vary depending on the type and severity of injury. Laser therapy, chiropractic care, instrument-assisted soft tissue therapy, acupuncture and rehabilitation protocols are the most common treatments that we offer, and they may be combined to maximize treatment outcomes. Laser therapy in particular is often considered an important part of treatment protocol, as it has been shown to improve the healing process and reduce recovery time, resulting in faster tissue regeneration without the production of scar tissue.
WHAT’S NEXT?
It’s important to note that once you have sustained an injury, you are at an increased risk of experiencing recurrences. That’s why once the injury has resolved, performing sport-specific exercizes and rehabilitation can help decrease the risk of recurrence.