Start the New Season Injury Free

With the new Scottish football season now in full swing, the number of injuries – professional and amateur – will no doubt rise! A combination of overzealousness and complacency will be sure to contribute to a number of injuries, ranging from small, fairly innocuous niggles to painful, potentially longer term ones. Football, apart from rugby, is the most physically demanding, injury prone contact sport around. Not only do you have to try and avoid injuries but also watch out for the harsh tackles of other players. It’s a minefield out there!

You can be properly protected against this minefield however by taking all necessary precautions including a rigorous, pre-match workout. This includes stretches, drills and runs. It is also important to play in good conditions. Many local parks and pitches are guilty of having uneven and dangerous surfaces. This can contribute to a range of debilitating, painful injuries such as turning an ankle, shin splints as well as pulled muscles. These kinds of injuries can have serious consequences for your body in the long run if they are not properly prepared for.

Some injuries are more common than others. In this blog we will look at these injuries in more detail and how they can be effectively prevented to ensure a healthy and long sporting life. Sport plays a massive role in society therefore you may wish to read on if you want to maintain longevity. Some of the most common injuries on the sports field include:

Football Injury

Runner’s Knee

Knee pain accounts for over half of all sporting injuries, ranging from torn ligaments to runner’s knee, which is also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome. The stress of running can cause irritation where the kneecap (patella) rests on the thighbone. The resulting pain can be sharp and sudden or dull and chronic, and it may disappear while you’re running, only to return again afterward.

Shin Splints

Shin splints are one of the most common running injuries with pain felt mostly down the middle of your shin or just the inner side of your shin. It can often be the result of a new exercise routine or lots of vigorous activity. Poor running mechanics are often responsible for this injury which can aggravate the inflamed tissue of the lower leg.

Groin Strain

Adductor strains happen when the muscles situated in your inner thigh contract suddenly or are overstretched. Very commonly seen in sports that require a rapid change in direction such as tennis, squash, hockey and rugby.

Ankle Sprain

Ankle sprains are very common in football, rugby, tennis and badminton or any sport that involves jumping, running and turning quickly. These movements can lead to twisting of the ankle and tearing of a tendon or ligament.

Playing Football

Pulled Muscle

Pulled muscle, which is also described as muscle strain, muscle injury or torn muscle, reduces muscle performance. Common causes are a lack of flexibility, fatigue, weakness or not warming up properly. It is most common with hamstrings, and can result in significant pain and bruising at the back of the leg.

Shoulder Injury

You may not immediately think of shoulder injuries. After all, it’s the legs that do all the work isn’t it? In fact, your arms work in conjunction with your legs to propel you forwards and give you momentum therefore there is just as much chance of injury occurring. These injuries can include dislocations, sprains & strains, and are especially common in racket sports such as tennis and squash but can be seen in any sport that involves overhead movements such as swimming, weightlifting and basketball. These problems are generally related to rotator cuff, which can become overused or loosen and have an impact on the stability of the shoulder.

Achilles Tendinitis

This tendon can be found at the back of the ankle and if overused, inflammation and pain can occur. This injury is very common among athletes, especially these who participate in sports that involve running or jumping.

Tennis or Golfer’s Elbow

You don’t have to be Andy Murray or Tiger Woods to have it. Even if you’ve never played a set of tennis or a round of golf, you can still suffer from these elbow injuries. Like the previously discussed shoulder injuries, similar problems can occur with the elbow because of how much it is used in conjunction with other parts of your body. Both are overuse injuries caused by any activity that requires repetitive motion of the arm and wrist. The difference between the two conditions lies in where the elbow is painful.

Sports massage is an effective, proven method of helping with sports injuries. When administered by skilled, experienced professionals in the physiotherapy field, it is capable of identifying potential problems as well as existing ones. A deep tissue massage will also thoroughly examine the entire body and root out any niggles or nasty injuries that may have gone undetected. So whether you are a football or rugby player or a track athlete this kind of treatment is for you.

To find out more about our sports massage treatments call us on 0800 612 7111 or email info@healthsurephysio.co.uk

Also published on Medium.