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Top Sports Injuries and How to Prevent Them With Orthotics

Posted On : Aug-06-2009 | seen (803) times | Article Word Count : 610 |

Injuries incurred during sports activities are incidents that the majority of athletes and coaches are accustomed to. They can not only be painful for the athlete, but in many cases can set back the entire team.
Injuries incurred during sports activities are incidents that the majority of athletes and coaches are accustomed to. They can not only be painful for the athlete, but in many cases can set back the entire team. A disabled team member can cause setbacks in game performance and can have enduring repercussions on the season as well. Similar to the way a team is influenced by a benched member, a disabled body part has a negative impact on the entire body. Lower-leg conditions such as sprained ankles, hyper-extended knees, and shin splints can be caused by poor form, lack of flexible muscle tone, and excessive use of the feet and lower legs. According to medical physicians at the Cleveland Clinic, the majority of athletes have to deal with shin splints at some time. Here's how to help them heal and try to avoid this debilitating issue, as well as avoiding other common sports injuries.

Shin Splints: The Evils of Overuse and Impact on the Lower Leg

Shin splints cause symptoms such as pain in the front or side areas of the lower leg. This pain can be constant and debilitating, especially when adding pressure on the affected leg. There can also be swelling in the area that can produce tightness as well as make tissues appear swollen around the muscles. No matter what type of sport, from cross country to basketball any athlete can suffer from these conditions. Shin pain treatment should be started right away to begin the healing process immediately. Shin splints treatment recommended by sports injury specialists includes rest, elevation, and icing of the affected area for 1 - 2 days. Continued physical therapy and preventive exercises include lower leg weight bearing moves and stretching of the Achilles tendon and the front leg muscles that surround the shin bone.

Twisting Injuries: How Weak Muscles Affect the Tendons and Ligaments

Another type of injury that is seen in impact sports is twisting of the ankle and knee. This is caused by either an extreme impact, which cannot be averted, or from weak muscles of the knee, lower leg, and ankle. Weak muscles can be strengthened with weight bearing or sports therapy-approved exercises that target the muscular areas that support the knees and ankles. Weakened muscles lead to weakened support structures in the entire lower leg so that simple movements or shifts in position can cause twisting injuries. Another helpful measure for avoiding these types of injuries are to support the arch of the feet with firm arch support. This can be accomplished with the use of orthotics made especially for athletic activities. The physicians at the Cleveland Clinic also recommend taping the arch for extra arch support during athletic activity.

How Tearing Injuries Happen

Spraining of the connective tissues are also typical kinds of sports-related injuries. This is most commonly found in the tendon in the back of the heel and the knee ligament. An Achilles injury is usually due to poor flexibility in the heel tendon due to poor stretching form. This is an important step in the preparation process that should never be skipped. Slow stretches without much force are suggested for anyone about to exercise. Kinesiologists recommend a 30 second stretch, releasing for a few seconds, and then repeating the stretch. ACL (Anterior cruciate ligaments) are located in the knee and help hold the knee structure together. Injuries to this area can be averted by strengthening the knee , calf muscle and thigh through curls and extensions of the leg. Orthotic insoles can help prevent both of these type of injuries by supplying proper arch support, foot alignment, and cushioning.

Article Source : http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Top Sports Injuries and How to Prevent Them With Orthotics_2278.aspx

Author Resource :
There are different causes for foot pain, many of which can be prevented by taking good care of our feet. That's the reason why Footminders orthotics researchers do extensive work to design orthotic insoles that that can be used for many foot conditions, including as plantar fasciitis treatment.

Keywords : flat feet, arch support, shin splints, shin pain, sports injuries, fallen arches, foot pain, orthotics, insoles, insoles, ort,

Category : Health and Fitness : Health and Fitness

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