Many sports injuries are unavoidable due to the unpredictability of events on the field. For example, a football tackle that goes the wrong way can result in a fracture or ACL injury. Other sports injuries though, like strains and sprains, are more preventable.
The physical therapists at Whatcom Physical Therapy work with athletes to help treat injuries and prevent injuries from happening. We want you to stay fit so you can continue participating in the activities you love. To help you out, here are some tips below that you can follow to help prevent a sports injury.
Four tips for preventing sports-related injuries
1. Warm up — Stretching and doing some light exercises before training or competing can help prepare your muscles for activity. Warming up is aptly named because these stretches and exercises cause the muscles to heat up. Muscles that are heated up are less prone to strains.
It’s likewise important to cool down afterward to further reduce your chances of injury.
2. Know your limits — Don’t push yourself too hard. Every athlete wants to be the best, but don’t hurt yourself in the process. Listen to your body. If something is wrong, stop and get help. Ignoring pain and pushing too hard can result in a more serious injury.
3. Eat well — Your body will be better equipped to perform if you eat a diet rich in healthy vitamins, nutrient and minerals. Protein is especially important for athletes because your body uses it for building and repairing muscles and other tissues.
4. Stay hydrated — Dehydration can cause a lot of problems, such as exhaustion. Exhausted muscles are more prone to strains and tears, so it’s important to drink a lot of water before, during and after physical activity.
Contact Whatcom Physical Therapy for a sports injury treatment
Despite your best prevention efforts, accidents happen and you may suffer from a sports injury. When this happens, you’ll want an experienced team of physical therapists to have your back.
The physical therapists at Whatcom Physical Therapy treat a variety of sports-related injuries and can help prevent future injuries. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you.
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