Athletes put their bodies through a lot of stress. Training, getting in shape, and taking part in strenuous sports take a toll on the body. Taking the time to heal and rest the body is important to getting back to top shape. Here are four of the most common injuries for athletes using their feet.
Stress Fractures
Stress injuries, like fractures, are more common in sports where people use their feet a lot. Activities like soccer, tennis, and participating in gymnastics can put repetitive wear on the bones in the feet. Old, worn equipment can contribute to these injuries.
Another thing that causes stress fractures is not warming up with enough stretching. Building up to a particular fitness level is pertinent. Athletes cannot start running seven miles a day without jogging a mile or two at first. The correct form is also crucial to avoiding stress injuries.
Plantar Fasciitis
In the center of the feet, a group of tendons holds up the arch of the appendage. When this area undergoes too much use, inflammation and severe pain are present. Athletes may feel like they cannot walk on their feet because of the intensity of the pain. A foot doctor will recommend rest, arch supports, and brand-name footwear. It’s important to follow a medical expert’s directions in order to expedite the healing process while minimizing complications.
Athletes will notice most of the pain near the heel when they step down. Plantar fasciitis is a very common injury that is treatable with lots of rest and ice. Stretches may also alleviate the pain and pressure to give athletes some relief. Of course, it’s important to keep moderation in mind when stretching so that you do not strain your body.
Ankle Sprains
Sprains are very easy to experience in any sport. The ankles can bend too far inward or outward, causing these problems. Some sprains only require a little rest, while others are more damaging, needing alternating periods of heat and ice to fix. If sprained ankles commonly occur during the sport you play, consider speaking with a specialist to find out how you can minimize your risk of injury. Ankle braces may be helpful for people with a tendency for ankle sprains.
Tendinitis in the Achilles Tendon
Foot specialists say this injury is very easy to experience when athletes overuse their feet. The swelling and pain may go away with proper treatment. However, continuous harm can cause permanent damage with long-term complications. Athletes can experience this issue as a result of many years of playing competitive sports.
Playing sports is a fantastic way to stay in shape. It allows you to challenge yourself while also meeting new people. Unfortunately, sports injuries can sometimes happen. Even if you’re careful, you can develop an injury due to overuse or a simple accident. Because there are so many different kinds of injuries that can occur while playing sports, it’s important to understand a variety of treatment options.
Guided stretching
Tense muscles can sometimes cause pain. In the case of runner’s knee, a tight IT band is often to blame. In physiotherapy, your therapist can show you stretches designed to relax your muscles and tendons. A relaxed IT band won’t pull on your knee, so you’ll be able to run without pain. Maximizing comfort will help you avoid unintentionally damaging your body over time.
Exercises
Your physical therapist will prescribe you exercises to help you as you heal. When you’re injured, it can be tempting to avoid using the affected body part. However, this can damage your range of motion and lead to other problems down the line. If your injury was due to improper form, strengthening certain muscles can prevent you from re-injuring yourself in the future. If you’re given exercises to do at home between physiotherapy sessions, don’t skip them! Your homework is a vital part of recovery, and you’ll heal faster if you follow all of your physical therapist’s instructions.
Massage
Massage isn’t just for relaxation. Physical therapists are trained to give medical massages designed to alleviate pain and give you a greater range of motion. As part of your treatment, you may undergo massage. Typically massage happens at the beginning of a physiotherapy session since it can help warm up your muscles to ready them for the rest of your treatment.
Taping
Sometimes pain can be due to joint instability. This is true of conditions such as patellofemoral pain syndrome, which is another common cause of runner’s knee. If your physical therapist determines that your joints are unstable, they may tape it in place using special medical tape. This can help retrain your body to maintain proper alignment while you go about your daily activities. Most taping lasts for at least a few days, so you will have some relief even between physiotherapy sessions.
These are just a few ways medical assistance can help you heal. If you’re interested in receiving treatment, contact your doctor today for an appointment. They can refer you to a trusted physical therapist who will design a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Protecting the feet as well as the rest of your body is important for a long and healthy lifestyle. Maintaining the right techniques and using the proper footwear is critical to reducing pain and stiffness. See your foot doctor if you find you are having issues when playing sports. Following the tips above will help you remedy your injuries in no time.
