Getting outside and playing recreational sports or going for a round of golf are some of the best activities for summer. With the warm weather and more people getting outside to have some fun, unfortunately the risk of injury also rises.
Here are some of the most common summer injuries, how to prevent them and how we can help if you do find yourself experiencing pain or injury.
Shin Splints
There’s nothing quite like getting outside in the fresh air and running a few miles around your neighborhood. Have you jumped into a new running routine and noticed you started to have some pain in your shins? Shin splints refers to pain along your shin bone (tibia), which is the large bone in the front of your lower leg. It’s one of the most common injuries among seasoned runners and new runners, often occurring in athletes who have recently changed or intensified their running routines. The new workload stresses the muscles, tendons and bone tissue, causing the unpleasant pain that we refer to as shin splints. Luckily, most cases can be treated with rest and ice. The easiest way to prevent yourself from getting shin splints is to wear proper footwear and slowly ease into a running routine to get your muscles used to your new workout regimen. At Advanced, we can help prevent running-related injuries. We perform a video analysis of your running technique and the cause of injury. We also offer assessment, treatment, sport specific rehabilitation, and technique corrections to help prevent future or more severe injuries.
Ankle Sprains
Summer might as well be renamed the season for ankle sprains! An ankle sprain is an injury to one or multiple ligaments in the ankle. More than 80% of ankle sprains are due to “inward rolling,” leaving the ligaments stretched or even torn! From hiking on uneven surfaces to playing basketball with friends, your ankles need to be strong to prevent injury. Try doing periodic stretches and basic low weight ankle exercises at home; Always, always, ALWAYS warm up – This will help limber up your muscles and ligaments to help warm them up and prevent strain or tearing; Wear shoes that fit (this should go without saying!); avoid running on uneven ground and lastly, try taping your ankles for added support.
Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow
After the long winter and few months of stay-at-home orders, many of us were more than ready to get out and pick up our tennis rackets or golf clubs. Tennis or golfer’s elbow are two injuries that occur from repetitive strain on the tendons located in the elbow. Golfer’s elbow refers to the tendons on the inside of the joint, whereas tennis elbow refers to the tendons on the outside of the joint. Don’t be fooled. Those who don’t even play sports can be plagued with these pesky injuries! At Advanced, our experienced team will evaluate your injury and get you on a path toward feeling better and ready to take on summer!
Back Pain
While most gyms across the country are still closed, we know how eager everyone is to get back into their weightlifting routine. Since most gym-goers have had to wait months to pick up a weight, it’s important to remember you should ease back into your weightlifting plan to prevent back injuries, especially those lifting the heaviest weights. Don’t try to hit a new PR your first day back. Take it slow. The last thing you want to do is try to go right back into your old routine and get hurt, leaving you out of the gym for even longer!
If you do happen to injure yourself this summer, our experienced team is here to help! We offer manual adjustments, Acupuncture, Cold Laser Therapy, Sports Medicine, corrective exercises and more … all combined into a customized treatment plan that addresses your individual surgery type and condition.Call us at (973) 616-4555 or reach out through our website to make an appointment today.