Spring is here and so are spring activities including baseball, biking, tennis, golf and more. Below are common injuries as well as important strategies you can use to help reduce the risk of injury from your favorite summer sporting activity.

Common Sports Injuries:

1. Repetitive Motion: Sports such as tennis, golf and baseball can all cause repetitive motion injuries such as “tennis elbow.” Repetitive motion injuries involve inflammation of the tendons due to improper motion during play.

2. Sprains and Strains: Fatigued muscles are sore, achy and tight and can lead to many injuries including sprains and strains of muscles and ligaments. Running, hiking and biking are popular summer exercise routines for many people. When the body is moving in new ways that the muscles are not used to over long periods of time, fatigue sets in.

3. Tendinitis or Bursitis: This pain is caused by chronic inflammation of the tendons or bursa that are protecting the joints.  Overuse of certain muscles and joints such as the hips and legs can cause this.

Strategies to Reduce Risk of Injury:

1. Strength Training and Stretching: Most injuries can be avoided by strengthening the muscles on a regular basis with a simple strength training routine.  Stretching before and after exercise loosens the muscles and prepares the body to move more freely and recover more quickly. We can recommend and customize a stretching routine specific to individual problem areas.

2. Chiropractic Care: Seek immediate treatment if you sustain any injury. Preventative and proactive Chiropractic care will help prepare your body for sports activity and can even improve performance. Chiropractors practice gentle manipulations and other non-invasive techniques to get the spine in proper alignment and relieve any nerve interference in the joint areas.  Once properly aligned, the body can reach its maximum potential for sports and other activities.

3. Massage: Regular massage increases circulation and flushes out lactic acid and other toxins which prevent the muscles from fully recovering from a workout.