Archive for sports injuries

Sacramento Chiropractor

Injuries are not uncommon with any kind of sport. So, it’s a good idea to discover what injury is inclined to happen in a specific sport and then to do whatever it takes to avoid it. The truth is, though, that sports injuries can’t always be avoided. As a result, it’s beneficial to take good care of your body to make injury less probable, or less traumatic.   Prior to starting a sport, such as golf, the most important thing you can do is to be sure that you have the proper fitness level. You may very well keep your body safe from injury if you stick to these general guidelines: Cultivate a healthy lifestyle; keep your joints mobile and your muscles limber; prepare your body before to activity; use proper form and good postures during activity; give yourself plenty of cool down and relaxation time.

It isn’t only amateur golfers who get injured. It has been approximated that nearly a third of pro golfers playing in the same time frame are playing with injuries. The good news is that general good health and fitness can decrease the number of injuries that you may experience and might conceivably prevent them altogether.

It is very important for you to have good body strength in the muscle regions most utilized while playing golf. But, it’s prudent to determine that your spine is in good alignment and that it has good mobility before you set out to build muscle strength. A proficient golf swing is contingent upon your spine’s facility to efficiently rotate effectually. Back injuries are the most common type of injuries experienced by golfers. Your Sacramento chiropractor will establish that your spine is in healthy alignment and that there is effectual movement of the vertebrae. Chiropractic treatment can make a big difference in helping you to avoid back injury.

Once you’re “straightened” it’s time to strengthen. A safe, injury-free day on the green depends upon your being prepared for your golf activity. Golf stretching and flexibility routines will warm up your muscles and make injury them less likely. Flexibility in all regions of the body can be escalated relatively fast as the result of full body range of motion (ROM) exercises. Furthermore, elastic band conditioning offers targeted golf range of motion advantages and can increase needed strength in the shoulders, hips and deep muscles of the core. Since elastic band training provides the dynamic resistance that ordinary weight lifting does not, sports professionals, such as your chiropractor, are making them a part of their golf conditioning programs.

Besides back injuries, many golfers have painful “Golfer’s Elbow.” Though golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow are nearly the same injuries, there is a minor difference between them. Tennis elbow disturbs the outside of the upper arm whereas golfer’s elbow affects the inner arm. Golfer’s elbow, like tennis elbow, can be the consequence of a single violent action, such as (in golf) striking the mat at the driving range or thrusting down on a hard fairway surface. Repetitive stress from smaller shocks, though, is more commonly the protagonist. In addition, it can happen to those who abruptly start playing too much golf. As a case in point, if individuals that usually play golf once or twice a month elect to enter into a tournament, they are conceivably at risk for incurring the injury.

Golf makes unique requirements on the body. Fatigue can be a challenge because the game ordinarily lasts longer than many other sports. Whenever the body is fatigued, poor posture and impeded coordination frequently follow. Together, these two components can produce a variety of injuries. In addition, because of the constant swinging of the golf clubs, the shoulder muscles are prone to injury. Just as attention should be given to make sure that your muscles are stretched and warmed up prior to starting your golf game, be sure to rest your body properly between games.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is, perhaps, an unexpected injury related to golf. But, since it an affliction that comes about due to repetitive stress, many games of golf played over several months constantly may cause this injury. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be a an extremely damaging injury producing incapacitation and on occasion requiring surgery. However, chiropractic treatment and, sometimes the use of a brace will alleviate the problem if a health professional, such as your chiropractor, discovers it at an early stage.

Quite a few golfers seem to feel that injuries are merely an inevitable part of a golfer’s life. However, a healthy, mobile spine, judicious preparation, proper exercise and muscle conditioning, attaining and sustaining a an appropriate fitness level, and reasonable rest and recuperation after your game is over, can help to make injuries much less a part of your golfing experience.

Dr. Yong Kim is a chiropractor in Sacramento with over thirteen years of experience helping thousands of patients get out of pain and get their lives back. His office is located at 1707 Professional Drive, Sacramento, CA 95825. He has special training in the area of sports injuries. Dr Kim is himself an avid health enthusiast. For more information go to his website at http://www.sacramentochiropractor.org

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Does it Hurt to Get Adjusted

In the past sports injuries were primarily limited to professional athletes, kids participating in school sports programs, and the occasional male “weekend warrior. Now, more than ever, men and women of all ages are committed to regular sports and fitness activities. A large percentage of people participate in sports like golf and tennis, and/or other healthy activities like running, aerobic classes, and weight training. Despite the activity, however, there is perpetually the risk of injury.

The majority of injuries can be divided into two primary types: injury from trauma such as a slip, fall or collision, and injury as the result of overuse or repetitive stress.

Traumatic Injuries

These injuries produce the debilitating problems often associated with trauma. As a rule injuries to the ligaments (the tissue that connects bone to bone) and to muscles are the most common, though the trauma of fractures and dislocations regularly occurs in contact sports. A strain is any injury to either a muscle or its tendon, and a sprain is an injury to ligaments.  Sprains and strains most frequently occur in the ankles, knees, and shoulders, and less generally in the low back and neck. Because the spinal cord and/or spinal nerves can be involved, injury to the neck and low back can be quite serious.

A traumatic injury may be relatively mild, such as a “muscle pull” or ankle twist. But, some can be quite serious and require surgery. It is based upon the degree of tearing of the tissues, the area of the body, and the age of the person. The majority of sprains and strains are associated with some degree of swelling and on occasion with internal bleeding, in particular with injury to the ankles and knees. Strains and sprains demand competent attention, particularly during the initial stages of an injury, to guarantee proper healing and protect against future disability. Treatment from a competent health-care professional, such as your Santa Barbara chiropractor, is highly expedient.

If you’ve sustained an injury, the best course of action is to see a professional. Until help is attainable, remember the acronym, PRICE:
P    Protect injury to prevent more damage
R    Rest the injured area
I     Ice injury to decrease swelling, bleeding, muscle spasm, and pain
C    Compress injury with a specialized support or elastic bandage to support injured tissues
E    Elevate the injury, expressly when dealing with ankles and knees

Of course it is necessary to get the injury appropriately examined by a chiropractor, or other competent health professional, to find out the extent of damage. When proper management is provided during the various stages of healing, the majority those who have suffered sprain and strain injuries will recover. If not carefully monitored and treated, a sprain or strain injury can result in persistent joint instability, painful or weak joints and muscles, and lack of mobility. A chiropractor that is educated in the treatment of sports injuries can deliver the proper advice and treatment you’ll require to insure that your injury will mendl in the best possible way. Call your Santa Barbara chiropractor if you have sustained a traumatic injury.

Overuse or Repetitive Strain Injuries

These injuries are becoming more widespread, especially among those involved in sports such as golf, tennis, bowling, and any other activity that demands the same activity over and over (repetitively). Even running, particularly on a treadmill, can produce such problems.

Repetitious activity can often cause a very small strain to tissues, particularly tendons and muscles. Nevertheless, it is the accumulative effects of the repetition that creates the more serious problem.  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most common kinds of overuse injuries. The pain, stiffness, and disability coincidental with carpal tunnel problems takes place over a period of time as the muscles and other affected tissue develop changes that no longer allow normal function. Specific factors predispose a person to these kinds of injury. A few are “intrinsic,” meaning the factor is found within a person’s own body. Other factors are “extrinsic,” i.e., that the factors are external and can often be changed or controlled by the sufferer.

Some of the most common intrinsic factors for injury

Age is the mostcommon intrinsic factor for injury. The older a person is, the easier it is for that man or woman to get injured. Congenital abnormalities are another factor. Some people are born with joint or muscle problems. And, finally, previous injuries are a factor as they frequently prevent the joints or muscles from functioning properly.

Extrinsic factors for injury

Extrinsic factors are abundant.  For instance, sports equipment can faulty–a wrong grip size of tennis racket or worn-out running shoes are clear examples, even a playing surface can be a factor, like a too-hard surface for soccer or an uneven treadmill. Inept technique in any sport, such as an incorrect golf grip is, as they say, an injury waiting to happen An additional factor is poor conditioning. A number of men and women are injured because they aren’t in shape. Increased frequency or lengthly duration of an activity, without easing slowly, can produce the setting for injury. Inadequate flexibility can produce injury if a person is too stiff to do an activity correctly. Warming up is essential prior to sports activities and not warming up, that is, not stretching or preparing for an activity is a widespread cause of injury.  And, finally, but perhaps surprising to some, stress is a factor. Being tired or stressed can produce tense, inflexible muscles that are too tight for most activities.

It is encouraging to remember that almost all factors are extrinsic and, hence, they are factors that can be individually managed. However, most people require evaluation by a qualified health care professional to establish their overall body health, the severity of injury, and the answer to the problem. If left untreated, an injury will not only prohibit someone from participating in a favorite activity, but can significantly affect someone’s life in general. Treatment such as joint manipulation, massage, bracing, and specific exercises is often necessary to stabilize the condition. A chiropractor is a good source of help. Call a chiropractor if you’re either thinking of beginning a new activity, you’re feeling pain related to a current sports activity, or you’ve sustained a sports injury. Your Santa Barbara Chiropractor has years of experience helping people just like you.


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