Play It Safe: Avoid These 7 Common Athletics Injuries

It's estimated that there are around 8.6 million sports and recreation-related injuries in the United States each year.
Athletics injuries can range from being mild inconveniences to life-changing problems. Even if you stick the to gym and stay away from organized sports, you could still be at risk for injuries
Are you curious about common injuries that could affect your ability to do the activities you enjoy? Read on to learn about injuries you should try to avoid.

The Top 7 Athletics Injuries to Avoid 

Every physical activity and sport has a risk of injury associated with it. Being active doesn't mean that you're going to get injured, but it does mean that you need to be careful when you're out and about.

One way to prevent injuries is to know about the kinds that could happen, and what you should look out for.

You can look in our resource library for more information on health and injuries, but for now, we're going to focus on 7 common injuries you should avoid.

1. Concussions

A concussion is defined as an injury to the brain, usually from a blow to the head where the brain is jarred or shaken.

Concussions don't need to come from a dramatic blow to the head, sometimes just getting tackled or falling to the ground and bumping your head can be enough to cause an injury.

A concussion is a serious injury that should never be taken lightly. If you or someone you're playing with just experienced a hit to the head, watch out for these common signs of a concussion:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Confusion or slurred speech
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Delayed responses or reactions
• Sensitivity to light

Most concussions can be treated with rest and a reduction of physical activities. Despite the simple nature of treating one, anyone that's suspected of having a concussion should seek immediate medical attention.

2. Shin Splint 

Do you have pain in your lower leg? Do you do a great deal of running through sports like soccer and field hockey, or from regular cardio?

It's possible that you could be suffering from shin splints.

Many people that have problems with shin splints tend to experience them at the beginning of an athletic season. Their bodies aren't used to the uptick of intense physical activity.

The best way to prevent or treat shin splints is rest. You don't want to put more pressure on your overly-stressed leg muscles and bones. Icing can also help with discomfort.

If you keep having trouble with shin splints, consider looking into getting new shoes or inserts. Having good arch support can reduce pain and help you recover.

3. Groin Pull

A groin pull (also known as groin strain) affects the muscles that run from the upper-inner thigh to the inner thigh located right above the knee. Groin muscles are often either injured or strained with quick side-to-side movements.

If you have a groin pull, you may have difficulty or pain when you're getting in and out of a vehicle or when you sit and stand. The area may feel very tender, could possibly look swollen, or even have a little bit of bruising.

Like with many injuries on the list, rest and icing can do wonders for managing the discomfort associated with the pull.

Only use ice for the first three days of your injury. After you use ice, feel free to switch to heat to deal with discomfort.

4. ACL Tear or Strain

The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) plays a very important role in stabilizing ligaments in the knee. It's possible to tear or strain the ACL when you make intense movements when you're trying to pivot or change directions.

ACL injuries rarely only affect the ACL, it's common for other ligaments in the knee to sustain a little damage.

An ACL tear or strain can cause significant damage. A slight tear or moderate strain can be healed without surgery and managed through rest and icing until the ligaments gain back their strength. A complete tear would require surgery.

Regardless of if you have a tear or strain, an ACL injury can take weeks to heal and could bench for you an entire season. Be sure to build up your muscles, stretch, and be aware of your movements if you want to avoid this problem.

5. Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow (also known as golfer's elbow) is usually seen in people that perform activities that require having a tight grip and use repetitive motions.

Because of frequent repetitive actions, the tendons in our forearm can become inflamed and make wrist or hand movements very painful.

If you have a serious case of tennis elbow, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication or a brace to alleviate pressure on the area. Icing can also help with your discomfort.

Stretching and strengthening exercises can help relieve tennis elbow symptoms. Rest can also be very beneficial.

6. Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries can be found in almost any sport you can play. High contact sports like football and low contact sports like swimming can cause a variety of shoulder problems.

It's possible for shoulders to become strained, dislocated, or misaligned after serious activity.

Ice, heat, and rest can help your shoulder if you start to have pain. But if the pain persists for more than two weeks, you should see a doctor.

7. Hamstring Strain

Your hamstring muscle is located on the back of the thigh. Since it's used often in movements, it is unfortunately very susceptible to strain.

A hamstring injury is usually due to poor stretching techniques rather than overuse or impact. If you want to avoid a hamstring injury, you should always stretch before you do any rigorous physical activity.

If you do find yourself with a pulled hamstring, be sure to get plenty of rest and use ice to alleviate discomfort.

Find Relief Today

Athletics injuries can be difficult to deal with. Knowledge can help you avoid some of the more serious ones, but sometimes you'll need more help beyond icing and rest.

If you're having trouble dealing an athletics injury, we're here to help. Contact us today to set an appointment so we can start finding the best way to treat your pain.