Knoxville Athletic Injury Safety Tips

By Samital Leah Zerna


All sports pose some degree of risk to your spine, neck, joints and muscles. If you do sustain a minor sports related injury, a Knoxville chiropractor can offer you the best therapy and advice for the prevention of further injury. Follow the right advice with these simple Knoxville athletic injury safety tips.

One of the most important safety practices when engaging in any sporting activity is to always perform regular body conditioning, including right before the activity. Body conditioning involves warming up, stretching and cooling down to prevent unnecessary injuries or lessen the effects of sustained injuries.

Help minor strains or sprains recover quickly by resting, applying ice, compressing, and elevating the injured area. Applying an ice pack or compress will help the swelling go down, but remember to only leave it on for up to 20 minutes or less; any longer and the injury and swelling may become worse. If the injury does not improve, see your physician for further advice.

Children are especially prone to sports injuries, and competition sports tend to carry the greatest risk. To avoid injuries in sports such as football, soccer, and wrestling, ensure that the child is the right height, weight and age for their category. They should always wear appropriate safety gear that is well fitting and fully functional, be alert and awake, and perform the appropriate body conditioning exercises, both before and after participation.

Proper diet and nutrition should never be overlooked as a part of good health and sports injury prevention. Minimize all fatty and fried foods as much as possible, and never overeat foods high in sugar. Drinking up to 10 glasses of water daily is an essential part of staying healthy, so always keep well hydrated.

Neck and lower back sports related injuries are the most common; neck and head trauma is mostly caused by contact sports, while repetitive actions are the main cause of most lower back injuries. As a preventative measure, always adhere to the proper rules and techniques for each sport.




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