Sports Then and Now

Whenever you play a sport or exercise your body, you are increasing your risk for injury no matter how careful you are. However, by following safe steps, knowing your body’s limitations and protecting against the most common types of injuries, you can stay safe and stay in the game. Here are four simple ways that you can avoid stressing any part of your body or landing in the emergency room rather than being on the field.

Always Warm Up and Cool Down

Warm ups and cool downs often seem pointless to new exercisers or players. Most people want to immediately get to the good part, which is the game or exercise itself. However, warm ups and cool downs, which should last for the first five and last five minutes of every game respectively, are vital for protecting muscles and connective tissues from strain and injury. A good warm up will bring blood into the muscles that you plan to use while a cool down should return your heart rate and breathing to normal.

Wear Protective Gear

Protective gear is designed to guard the most danger-prone areas of your body from injury. For example, a helmet is used to protect your head from concussions and other brain injuries. Knee and elbow pads protect your joints that tend to stick out the most from your body. Other good forms of protective gear depending on the sport include mouthguards, shin guards, shoulder pads and eyewear. Read the rest of this entry →

If you’ve injured your back recently playing sports (or doing something else), you might need a chiropractor. While finding one isn’t necessarily difficult, there are actually a few key things you need to remember when looking for the best option for you. In this article, we’re going to look at them.

1. Do they have special experience in sports injuries?

First things first — you’ll want one who’s got specific experience treating sports-related injuries. Many chiropractors will have worked with sports teams in the past, so you might be able to find a recommendation if you ask your teammates or coaches.

2. What are their general qualifications?

Depending on your location, a chiropractor could have a wide range of different qualifications and certificates. Make sure you’ve checked them all fully before agreeing to treatment.

3. How long have they been practicing?

Are they a recently qualified chiropractor or do they have years of experience? This might be something you should consider, although even newly qualified chiropractors can still be good enough for the job. Read the rest of this entry →