Is Pain Stopping You From Getting Back in the Game?
Sports represent a healthy way to stay in shape, enjoy socialization with friends and family, and provide an effective outlet for stress. Nothing else in life compares to the invigorating and stimulating enjoyment that comes from participating in sports. Unfortunately, part of playing sports might mean pain or injuries that prevent you from fully enjoying your sports activity.
When this happens, a negative spiral can occur. The suddenly sedentary life may lead to weight gain, mood swings, or depression. If you choose to ignore medical advice and play injured, your small injury could turn into something that keeps you on the sidelines longer or, worse, requires surgical intervention.
How Do Most Injuries Occur?
Many things can contribute to sports injuries. One of the most common contributing factors that physical therapists encounter is that of the “weekend warrior.” The weekend warrior is a term for a person who leads a relatively sedentary existence during the work week, but who gives it all they have on the playing field on the weekends. While the term warrior has strong connotations, it’s not smart to suddenly test and strain your body in fits and starts only on the weekends. You would be better off making time for light-to-moderate exercise during the week so that your body has a more level baseline for activity.
Other injuries occur from poor gear choices. It’s important to wear the right equipment for the right sport. Tennis shoes, for example, are designed to support the foot and ankle for the quick side-to-side footwork that occurs on the court. Running shoes are manufactured so that the impact of your body hitting pavement is somewhat absorbed and doesn’t injure your skeletal system. Ill-fitting ski boots can cause injury in the event of a fall. There are many examples.
Lastly, injuries can occur when you neglect to warm up before practice and play. Your muscles, tendons, ligaments and other tissues need to be warmed up and prepped for movement to function at a high level. Sports, in general, place high strain and load on joints and muscles. If you don’t warm up properly, you increase your risk of injury.
You May Be More Prone to Injury as You Age
While age should not prevent you from participating in your favorite sports, you do need to consider the physical limitations that come with age. As you get older, your tissues become less elastic and less flexible. Your tissues are slower to heal and may take longer to recoup after a strenuous activity. It would be foolish for anyone to think they can perform at age 60 the same as they did at age 26. However, exercising consistently, warming up before exercise, and keeping hydrated can help. Paying close attention to aches and pains and seeing your physical therapist promptly can help reduce time away from your sport.
How to Avoid Pain and Prevent Injury
With a little preparation, you can easily decrease your risk of injury.
- Warm up and stretch before practice and play
- Aim to stay active throughout the week
- Practice eye-hand coordination with drills
- Maintain or increase strength with training
It is very important to do sports, fitness activities, and a host of other physical hobbies to keep you healthy and happy. Knowing the right exercises to do to prepare for fitness activities is key. Our physical therapy experts have years of experience helping people rehabilitate after injuries and return to the activities they enjoy. What some people might not know is that physical therapists can help with injury prevention by prescribing a specific exercise plan based on your body and your sport. If you do start to experience pain with activities, we can get you back to enjoying your activities pain-free. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you get back in the game!