Saturday, December 5, 2009

Aches and Pains

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Enjoy your youth Ladies and Gentlemen because I can readily say that at the tender age of 23 I am feeling aches and pains in places I did not think would ever hurt. I guess after many years of pushing the weights and throwing the discus, my body has finally began to thank me and I do not mean that in a good way. The important thing to focus on however is keeping preventative measures in place within your workout segments in order to prevent these little aches and pains from escalating into full blown injuries. Below is a brief description of what must occur before an injury can be classified as chronic or acute and better yet, how to prevent them.

Acute injuries occur suddenly when playing or exercising. Sprained ankles, strained backs, and fractured hands are acute injuries. Signs of an acute injury include:
  • Sudden, severe pain
  • Swelling
  • Not being able to place weight on a leg, knee, ankle, or foot
  • An arm, elbow, wrist, hand, or finger that is very tender
  • Not being able to move a joint as normal
  • Extreme leg or arm weakness
  • A bone or joint that is visibly out of place.

Chronic injuries happen after you play a sport or exercise for a long time. Signs of a chronic injury include:

  • Pain when you play
  • Pain when you exercise
  • A dull ache when you rest
  • Swelling.

So how can we prevent this from happening? These tips can help you avoid sports injures.

  • Don't bend your knees more than half way when doing knee bends.
  • Don't twist your knees when you stretch. Keep your feet as flat as you can.
  • When jumping, land with your knees bent.
  • Do warm-up exercises before you play any sport.
  • Always stretch before you play or exercise.
  • Don't overdo it.
  • Cool down after hard sports or workouts.
  • Wear shoes that fit properly, are stable, and absorb shock.
  • Use the softest exercise surface you can find; don't run on asphalt or concrete.
  • Run on flat surfaces.
  • Use a brace or tape to wrap up weak joints.
  • Use weight belts when lifting heavy weight.
  • If a joint or muscle feels Unusual, stop and assess the reason before continuing.
(Source: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Sports_Injuries/sports_injuries_ff.asp)

For more information on sport injuries and how to treat and avoid them, check out
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think! or email me at 0a4w@virginia.edu

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