In the U.S., about 30 million children and teens participate in some form of organized sports, and more than 3.5 million injuries each year, which cause some loss of time of participation, are experienced by the participants.
The saying, “no pain, no gain” couldn’t be the farthest from the truth when it comes to the world of sports.
Sometimes, the pain is too much to endure, and sometimes, it’s even worse because injuries don’t just affect the individual athlete, but their fellow teammates, and even the team as a whole.
When considering the types of sports injuries, it’s important to know how to avoid getting injured on the field. Especially as athletes develop over time and put more strain on their bodies, it’s important to be aware of the types of injuries that could occur.
This article will discuss the common types of sports injuries and how to avoid them.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which is the large tendon that connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Achilles tendonitis is often caused by overuse, and it can be extremely painful.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear
The ACL is one of the major ligaments in the knee, and a tear can occur when the knee is over-extended, twisted, or bent the wrong way. ACL tears are common in playing sports that involve stopping and starting, such as football and basketball.
Hamstring Strain
The hamstring is the group of muscles at the back of the thigh, and a hamstring strain occurs when one of these muscles is stretched or torn. Hamstring strains are common in sports that involve sprinting, such as track and field.
Shin Splints
Shin splints are a type of pain that occurs along the shinbone (tibia), and they are often caused by overuse. Shin splints are common in sports that involve running, such as track and cross-country.
Shoulder Dislocation
A shoulder dislocation occurs when the ball portion of the shoulder joint (the humerus) pops out of the socket (the glenoid). This can happen if the arm is bent or twisted the wrong way, and it can be extremely painful.
Shoulder dislocations are common in contact sports, such as football and hockey.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is a type of pain that occurs on the outer side of the elbow, and it is often caused by overuse of the forearm muscles. It is common in sports that involve racquet sports, such as tennis and badminton.
Groin Pull
A groin pull occurs when the muscles in the groin are stretched or torn. Groin pulls are common in sports that involve a lot of running, such as soccer and hockey.
All these types of injuries need to be attended to as soon as possible by a sports massage therapist.
Preventing Sports Injuries Now
There are many different types of sports injuries that can occur while playing sports. It is important to know the signs and symptoms of these injuries so that you can get the proper injury treatment.
If you think you may have a sports injury, it is important to see a doctor or other healthcare provider so that you can get the proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Andrea Parker is a reporter for Zobuz. She previously worked at Huffington Post and Vanity Fair. Andrea is based in NYC and covers issues affecting her city. In addition to her severe coffee addiction, she’s a Netflix enthusiast, a red wine drinker, and a voracious reader.
