How to Prevent Lower Body Sports Injuries With Effective Arch Support
Sports injuries are issues that coaches and athletes are accustomed to. These injuries can cause physical pain to the athlete, but in many cases can set back the entire team. An ousted team member can hurt the outcome of games and can have enduring repercussions on the season as well. Like a team is affected by a missing member, an injured body part influences the entire body. Injuries such as sprained ankles, hyper-extended knees, and shin splints can be caused by poor form, lack of stretching, and excessive use of the feet and lower legs. Cited by medical doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, almost every athlete have to deal with shin splints at some time. Here are ways to avoid and heal these painful problems, as well as avoiding other recurring sports injuries.
The Mechanics of Shin Splints
There are many symptoms caused by shin splints such as pain in the front or side areas of the lower leg. This pain can be constant and debilitating, especially when putting pressure on the affected leg. Increased swollen muscle tissue can make the leg feel taut as well as make tissues appear swollen around the muscles. Regardless of what type of activities, from soccer to baseball any athlete can be affected by these conditions. Treatment for shin splints should be commenced within minutes to jump-start the tissue repair process. Shin splints treatment started by physical therapists includes rest, elevation, and icing of the injured area for 1 – 2 days. Continuing physical therapy and strengthening exercises include calf and ankle strengthening moves and stretching of the Achilles tendon and the group of long muscles that run from the knee to the ankle.
How Sports Can Cause Knee and Ankle Twist Injuries
Another type of injury that is seen in impact sports is twisting of the ankle and knee. This is caused by either a blunt-force injury, which cannot be avoided, or from weak muscles of the lower leg, knee, and ankle. Weak muscles can be strengthened with weight bearing or movements recommended by a sports therapist that target the lower leg. Weakened muscles lead to weakened support structures in the entire lower leg so that simple movements or shifts in position can cause twisting injuries. Another preventive measure for avoiding these types of injuries are to provide the feet with the ideal amount of arch support. This can be accomplished with the use of orthotic arch supports made especially for athletic activities. The medical professionals at the Cleveland Clinic also suggest taping the arch for added foot arch support during games.
Tearing Injuries Commonly Suffered
Rupturing of the tendons and ligaments are also typical kinds of sports injuries. This is most commonly found in the connecting structures of the knees and back of the heels. An Achilles injury is generally caused by a lack of flexibility in the heel tendon due to improper stretching exercises. This is a crucial stage in the warm-up process that should never be skipped. Gentle stretches without pulsing are recommended for anyone about to exercise. Experts in kinesiology advise a half-minute stretch followed by a short rest and then a repeat stretch. Anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) are surrounding the knee area and help keep the knee structure together. Injuries to this area can be avoided by strength training the knee , calf and quadriceps through leg curls and leg extensions. Orthotics can help avert both of these type of injuries by providing proper arch support, foot alignment, and cushioning.
Post a comment