Proper Arch Support With Orthotics Helps You Prevent Leg Injuries
Bodily injuries while practicing sports are issues that many athletes and coaches are familiar with. These conditions can temporarily disable the athlete, but in many cases can disable the entire team. A disabled team member can affect the outcome of games and can have enduring influence on the season as well. Similar to the way a team is influenced by a benched member, an injured body part influences the entire body. Injuries such as weak knee injuries, shin plints, and twisted ankles can be caused by improper form, lack of stretching, and overuse of the lower body. Cited by medical physicians at the Cleveland Clinic, almost every athlete have to deal with shin splints at some time. Here’s how to prevent and treat these painful conditions, as well as avoiding other recurring sports injuries.
The Mechanics of Shin Splints
There are many symptoms caused by shin splints such as frontal pain in the shin area. The pain can be sharp and extreme, especially when increasing pressure on the affected leg. Swelling in the area can make the leg feel tight as well as produce visible inflammation and tenderness around the muscles. Regardless of what type of sport, from soccer to baseball any athlete can suffer from these conditions. Shin pain treatment should be started right away to begin the healing process immediately. Shin pain relief recommended by sports injury specialists includes rest, elevation, and icing of the painful area for one to two days. Continued physical therapy and preventative exercises include calf and ankle strengthening moves and stretching of the Achilles tendon and the muscles in the front of the shin.
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 forceful injury, which cannot be prevented, or from weak muscles of the ankle, lower leg, and knee. Weakened muscles can be remedied with lifting weights or exercises prescribed by a physical therapist that target the lower leg. Weakened muscles lead to weakened support structures in the entire lower leg so that simple movements or athletic activities can cause twisting injuries. Another helpful measure for preventing these types of injuries are to be sure the feet have proper arch support. This can be accomplished with the use of arch support inserts made especially for athletic activities. The medical professionals at the Cleveland Clinic also suggest taping the arch for extra arch support during games.
Tearing Injuries: Why They Occur in the Lower Leg
Spraining of the connective tissues are also common types of sports injuries. This is most commonly found in the Achilles tendon and anterior cruciate ligament. An Achilles injury is generally caused by a lack of flexibility in the heel tendon due to poor stretching technique. This is a crucial stage in the warm-up process that must be taken seriously. Slow stretches without force are suggested for all sports participants. Experts in kinesiology advise a half-minute stretch followed by a short rest and then a repeat stretch. Anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) are located in the knee and help hold the knee structure together. Injuries to this region can be prevented by strength training the knee , calf and quadriceps through leg extension exercises and curls. Orthotic inserts can help avert both of these type of injuries by supplying proper arch support, alignment of the feet, and cushion.
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Posted: August 9th, 2009 under Diseases And Conditions.





