Have you ever played competitive sports? Do you have children who play organized sports? Do you remember a family picnic when you injured your back or shoulder playing a game of volleyball? The answer is "YES!GÇ¥ Millions of Americans are excited about the warming weather. Baseball is in full swing; more people are out biking, running and family picnics are being planned. Whether you are in great shape or are coming off a winter of inactivity, sports injuries will be a major cause of increased emergency room and doctor visits. Treatment for emergencies are best handled at the hospital emergency rooms. Symptoms of head injury should always be thoroughly checked out: loss of consciousness, confusion, blurred vision, memory loss, and severe headaches. Other minor injuries may only require a visit to a doctor's office along with some home care. Sprain/Strain injuries are the most common sport's related activities. Remember the acronym RICE? (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate) Rest the injured area, Ice to reduce swelling and inflammation (20 min per hour over the course of 48 hours), Compression bandage over the swollen joint, and Elevation of the injured part to allow blood to flow to return back to the heart. If the pain persists, it is wise to have the injury checked out by your doctor. Often, we see sprain/ strain injuries that persist for weeks or months later due to a problem called joint dysfunction. Once the initial pain from the injury resolves, there is still an underlying problem that remains. You may have experienced or have known someone who has sprained the same ankle over and over again. Ligament laxity and underlying scar tissue create dysfunction in the joint.-á Joint dysfunction responds well to manipulation to restore lost joint play motion which resolves pain dramatically and improves overall function. Chronic muscle or tendon pain responds well to physical therapy modalities such as; ultrasound, light laser therapy, and electrical stimulation; along with rehabilitation and corrective exercise. It is wise to be conditioned before sports activities. Take an extra five to ten minutes to properly warm up your body before you engage in you exercise routine, or that intramural sports activity. Hydrate. Over 70% of your body is water, and every cell needs it to function. As the weather gets warmer, your body will require more water. You can avoid cramping and some cases of muscle strain by just simply being properly hydrated.-á However, injuries are inevitable this spring and summer. In many cases the solution is very quick and you will return back to full activity in a short period of time. If you do find that an injury is lingering on, don't hesitate to get checked out right away by your licensed health care provider. Remember, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,GÇ¥ and "A body in motion tends to stay in Motion, while a body at rest tends to stay at rest.GÇ¥ So get outside, enjoy that sunshine, stay active and stay healthy!
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