31
Proper Arch Support With Orthotics Helps You Prevent Leg Injuries
Injuries incurred during sports activities are issues that the majority of coaches and athletes are familiar with. These conditions can temporarily disable the athlete, but in many cases can set back the entire team. An ousted team member can hurt the outcome of games and can have lasting repercussions on the season as well. Just as one missing athlete affects a team, a hurt body part has a negative impact on the entire body. Lower-leg conditions such as sprained ankles, hyper-extended knees, and shin splints can be caused by bad form, lack of flexibility, and overuse of the feet and lower legs. Cited by medical professionals at the Cleveland Clinic, the majority of athletes have to deal with shin splints at some time. Here’s how to prevent and treat these painful conditions, as well as averting other frequent sports injuries.
How Sports Can Cause Shin Splints to Occur
Shin splints cause symptoms such as pain running through the front or sides of the calf and shin areas. This pain can be constant and debilitating, especially when adding pressure on the affected leg. Increased swollen muscle tissue can make the leg feel taut as well as produce visible inflammation and tenderness in the muscles. No matter what type of activity, from soccer to baseball any athlete can be afflicted by these conditions. It is essential that shin splints treatment be started right away to begin the healing process immediately. The most common shin splints treatment started by physical therapists includes rest, elevation, and icing of the painful area for 1 to 2 days. Continued physical therapy and preventative exercises include lower leg weight bearing moves and stretching of the Achilles tendon and the group of long muscles that run from the knee to the ankle.
Twisting Injuries: How Weak Muscles Affect the Tendons and Ligaments
Ankle and knee injuries are another kind of sports injury that many athletes suffer from. This is caused by either a blunt-force injury, which cannot be avoided, or from weak muscles of the knee, lower leg, and ankle. Weakened muscles can be remedied with lifting weights or sports therapy-approved exercises that target the lower leg. Weakened muscles lead to tendons and ligaments that cannot hold the bones and muscles together tightly so that simple movements or athletic activities can cause twisting injuries. Another helpful measure for stopping these types of injuries are to be sure the feet have proper arch support. This can be accomplished specially-designed arch support insoles made for sports activities. The physicians at the Cleveland Clinic also advise taping the arch for added arch support during sports activities.
Tearing Injuries Commonly Suffered
Tearing of the tendons and ligaments are also common types of sports-related injuries. This is most commonly found in the connecting structures of the knees and back of the heels. An Achilles injury is commonly caused by little flexibility in the heel tendon due to improper stretching technique. This is a vital part in the stretching process that should never be skipped. Slow stretches without pulsing are suggested for anyone about to exercise. Kinesiologists recommend a 30 second stretch, releasing for a few seconds, and then repeating the stretch. ACL (Anterior cruciate ligaments) are located in the knee and help keep the knee structure together. Injuries to this region can be prevented by strengthening the knee and lower leg through leg curls and leg extensions. The right orthotic insoles can help avert both of these kinds of injuries by providing proper arch support, alignment of the feet, and cushion.
Tags: Achilles Tendon, Ankles, Arch Support, Cleveland Clinic, Entire Team, Healing Process, Knee Injuries, Leg Injuries, Matter What Type, Medical Professionals, Muscle Tissue, Negative Impact, Physical Therapists, Preventative Exercises, Repercussions, Shin Splints Treatment, Sports Activities, Sports Injuries, Sports Injury, Tendons
