Sports Injuries

Sports Injury Treatment Available in Jacksonville, FL

Participating in sports is a great way of staying in shape and learning ethics like teamwork and dedication.

As beneficial as joining in organized or solo sports can be, however, your participation can also include several drawbacks. The primary detriment associated with playing or taking part in sports of any kind involves getting hurt. Sports injuries are very common in people of all ages throughout Jacksonville Florida and other places. Typically these injuries occur because participants fail to take proper precautions such as using safety equipment or stretching prior to competing. They also occur in people who are overzealous in their participation and those who are entirely new to playing sports.

Common Bodily Areas for Sports Injuries

  • Ankles
  • Knees
  • Hips
  • Shoulders
  • Elbows
  • Wrists
  • Spine (Neck, Mid back, Lower back)

Sprain and Strain Symptoms

  • Noticeable Bruising
  • Swelling
  • Heat or Tenderness
  • Mild to Severe Discomfort
  • Reduced Range of Motion
  • Stiffness
  • Muscle Spasms

When people think of sports injuries, they most often conjure up images of players suffering bone breaks and dangerous concussions. It is true that fractures and head injuries are common in sports like football and rugby. However, nearly every sport in existence, even seemingly benign activities like golf and bowling, can put players at risk for injuries like over-use injuries, sprains and strains.

To appreciate why these injuries are so commonplace among athletes, you should learn the difference between a strain and a sprain and also learn what parts of the body each injury affects. A sprain occurs when an athlete's joint is overextended or twisted beyond its normal range of motion. The ligaments in the joint could become sprained, hence the name of the injury. A strain affects the tendons and muscles in a person's body. The tendons connect muscle to bone; when the tendon is overused or twisted beyond its normal capability, the athlete suffers a strain. Both injuries can vary in severity from mild or serious. 

You also may suffer a sprain or strain to your spinal column while playing your favorite sport. If your spine is injured, you may develop a herniated or bulging disc. This injury, as well as more severe strains and sprains, may require professional chiropractic treatment to help you find effective non-pharmacological relief from the discomfort.

Of course, fractures can and sometimes do occur in even the most prepared of athletes. In addition to severe bone breaks, bone fractures can take the form of stress fractures. These types of fractures occur when too much stress is put on the affected bone. Likewise, athletes like runners may develop shin splints, or tiny fractures on the surface of their leg bones. Both of these types of fracture require prompt medical care and potentially weeks of rest before the athlete can return to the field of play.
Sometimes injuries occur in Jacksonville Florida athletes and sports participants elsewhere because of overuse of a tendon. Tendonitis, sometimes called tendinosis, develops after athletes overuse the tendons in their joints. Runners, for example, might damage the tendons on either side of their knees by running too much or by running races without properly warming up and stretching ahead of time or even allowing for a proper cool-down from the activity after completion.

Likewise, people who play sports involving the throwing of a ball or the swinging of a racket or bat may develop tennis elbow. This injury occurs when the tendon that runs on the outside of the elbow joint becomes irritated and damaged. Injuries from overuse also require plenty of rest and perhaps even chiropractic care to help the athlete get back into competing shape.
close up of a runner's feet

Diagnosing and Treating Sports Injuries in Jacksonville, FL

Diagnosing Sports Injuries 

Doctors utilize a number of different methods to diagnose injuries in athletes. The most common method available to physicians anywhere is an x-ray. X-rays show doctors if fractures exist in bones or if joints have been compromised.

They also use MRIs to see injuries like strains, sprains, and herniated discs. Once they can see the damage in a person's joint structure or bones, they can then come up with the proper treatment for the injury.

Treatments for Sports Injuries

  • REST: Avoid putting weight or stress on affected area. Can be a few days to several weeks.
  • ICE: Ice helps reduce swelling and eases the discoloration in bruising. Typically ice for 15-25 minutes with 1 hour off to allow the body part to return to normal body temperature.
  • ELEVATION: Helps ease pressure from the injury and keeps blood from pooling in the area.
  • PAIN RELIEVERS: Aspirin, Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen relieves painful throbbing and swelling. (always check with your primary care physician before taking any over-the-counter or prescription medication)

Preventing Sports-Related Injuries

  • Getting into proper physical shape before playing or competing
  • Warming up prior to a match or game
  • Stretching after playing or competing
  • Wearing prescribed safety gear like padding, helmets and proper footwear
  • Utilizing proper techniques while throwing, catching, running, etc.
The old adage “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” definitely applies when it comes to keeping such injuries at bay. These precautions can help you enjoy your time out on the court or field. They also could spare you from getting hurt and suffering an injury that brings your ability to compete to a halt. 
labeled diagram of person hurdling
Sports are fun to play and help you stay in shape. They teach you to focus, work with others, and commitment to a team. However, as fun as they are, sports can also invite injuries to your body. You can prevent and overcome such damages by learning what kinds of injuries occur most often and how they are commonly prevented and treated.

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