TYPES OF SPORTS INJURIES

Different sports injuries produce different symptoms and complications. The common sorts of sports injuries include:

• Sprains : Tearing or overstretching of the ligaments result in a sprain. Ligaments are pieces of tissue that connect two bones to a minimum of each other during a joint
• Strain : Strains are commonly mistaken for sprains. Overstretching or tearing of the tendons or muscles might result in a sprain. Tendons are thick, fibrous cords of tissue that tend to connect the bones to the muscles
• Knee injuries : Any injury that interferes with how the knee moves could be a sports injury. It could range from an overstretch to a tear within the muscles or tissues within the knee
• Swollen muscles : Swelling may be a natural reaction to an injury. Swollen muscles may even be painful and weak
• Achilles tendon rupture : The Achilles tendon may be a thin, powerful tendon at the rear of your ankle. During sports, this tendon can break or rupture. When it does, you'll experience sudden, severe pain and difficulty walking
• Fractures : Bone fractures also are referred to as broken bones
• Dislocations : Sports injuries might dislocate a bone in your body. When this happens, a bone is forced out of its socket, which will be painful and cause swelling as well as weakness
• Rotator cuff injury : Four pieces of muscle work together to form a structure. The structure helps your shoulder to move in all directions. A tear in any of these muscles can weaken the entire structure
• Pulled Muscle :Muscle strain is another name for a pulled muscle. It occurs when a muscle is overstretched and tears. Symptoms of a pulled muscle may include pain, swelling, weakness, and difficulty or inability to use the muscle.
• Torn ACL :The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) helps hold the knee joint together and provides stability. A torn ACL is a sports injury that may occur when landing the wrong way, changing direction or stopping quickly, or from a direct blow to the knee.
• Torn MCL :The medial collateral ligament (MCL) connects the upper leg bone (femur) to the larger bone of the lower leg (tibia). It is located on the inner side of the knee. The MCL is typically injured when the knee joint is pushed sideways when making a wrong move or by receiving a direct blow to the knee.
• Shin Splints :Shin splints are throbbing, aching, or stabbing pain on the insides of the lower leg. Shin splints are a repetitive use injury that may occur in runners or those who are beginning to exercise. Pain occurs when muscles and tendons around the tibia (the larger of the two lower leg bones) become inflamed.
• Stress Fracture :A stress fracture is an overuse injury that occurs when muscles are no longer able to absorb the impact from physical activity, and a bone absorbs the pressure, resulting in a break. Stress fractures can occur when increasing activity, especially too quickly.
• Plantar Fasciitis :The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects the heel to the front of the foot, supporting the arch. Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of this ligament.
• Sprained Ankle :A sprained ankle occurs when the ligaments that support the joint become overstretched. Ankle sprains may occur when playing sports or doing everyday activities.
• Tennis Elbow :Tennis elbow is an overuse injury that may be associated with playing racket sports. Plumbers, painters and those in similar professions are also at risk. Tennis elbow involves inflammation of the tendons on the outside of the elbow caused by small tears.
• Low Back Pain :There are many causes of low back pain. Back pain may be due to overuse, such as playing one too many rounds of golf or lifting heavy weights. This kind of back strain usually resolves on its own without treatment.
• Hip Bursitis :The hip region contains two major bursae. The one located on the outside of the hip is called the trochanteric bursa. The other is called the ischial bursa which covers the ischial tuberosity, more commonly known as the sits bones. Inflammation of either bursae may lead to stiffness and pain around the hip joint not to be confused with the true joint pain of arthritis.

Causes

Sports injuries typically fall into two categories,

• acute injury
• Chronic injury

It can stem from direct impact, loading (putting more force on a joint than it can handle), or overuse.

1.Acute sports injuries, like cuts and sprains, are usually the result of accidents, such as a sudden impact or an awkward movement. This sort of injury can be difficult to avoid.

However, many sports injuries are avoidable because they are often the result of:

• not warming up properly
• poor technique,
• not using equipment correctly, or
• not taking the proper safety precautions for your sport.

2.A chronic sports injury is longer-term. It may begin as an acute injury that does not heal completely or may be caused by overuse or improper form. Many athletes play through pain, which can lead to chronic injuries.

SYMPTOMS

If you are experiencing a significant injury or if you've got any of the below signs, see a doctor:

• Deformities within the joint or bone, if it is crooked or moves abnormally
• Visible lumps and bumps
• You are unable to bear weight or aren’t able to use your limb without pain
• Excessive swelling and pain
• popping or crunching sounds once you use the joint
• Severe weakness and inability to bear weight on the joint
• Instability
• Changes in complexion of the skin beyond mild bruising
• It's not getting any better after a few of days of PRICE therapy

Seek medical assistance if your sports injury looks or feels severe and joint shows signs of:

• Difficulty in breathing
• Dizziness
• Fever

Risk factors

Anyone might find themselves experiencing a sports injury, regardless of the last time they suited up for baseball or squared off as a linebacker on the gridiron. But some factors put you at an increased risk for injury.

• Childhood : Because of their active nature, children are especially in peril for sports injuries. Children often don’t know their physical limits, meaning they'll push themselves to injury more easily than adults or teenagers
• Age : The older you grow, the more likely you are about to experience an injury. Age also increases the probabilities that you could have sports injuries. New injuries might aggravate from previous injuries also
• Lack of care : Sometimes, serious injuries begin as small ones. Many injuries that result from overuse, like tendonitis and stress fractures, are often recognized early by a doctor. If they’re left untreated or ignored, they might become a significant injury
• Obesity : Carrying around extra weight could put unnecessary stress and pressure on your joints, including your hips, knees and ankles. The pressure is magnified with exercise or sports. This increases your risk for sports injury

PREVENTION

You can reduce your risk of sports injuries if you:

• Warm up thoroughly by gently going through the motions of your sport and performing slow, sustained stretches.
• Wear appropriate footwear.
• Tape or strap vulnerable joints, if necessary
• Use the appropriate safety equipment, such as mouth guards, helmets and pads
• Drink plenty of fluids before, during and after the game.
• Try to avoid exercising in the hottest part of the day, between 11 am and 3 pm.
• Maintain a good level of overall fitness, particularly in the off season (in the months between playing seasons for a sport).
• Cross-train with other sports to ensure overall fitness and muscle strength.
• Ensure training includes appropriate speed and impact work so muscles are capable of the demands of a game situation.
• Don’t exert yourself beyond your level of fitness. Gradually increase intensity and duration of training.
• Use good form and technique
• Cool down after sport with gentle, sustained stretches.
• Allow adequate recovery time between sessions.
• Have regular medical check-ups.

DIAGNOSIS

Many sports injuries cause immediate pain or discomfort. Others cases, like overuse injuries, might be noticed only after the long-term damage is caused. These injuries might often be diagnosed during routine physical examinations or checkups. If you think that you've got a sports injury, your Doctors will likely use the next steps to urge a diagnosis. These include:

• Physical examination : Your doctor may decide to move the injured joint or part, which helps them see how the wounded joint is moving or how it’s not moving if that’s the case
• Medical history : This involves asking you questions on how you were injured, what you were doing, what you’ve done since the injury. If this is your first time visiting this doctor, they'll also order a more thorough medical record
• Imaging tests : X-rays, MRIs, CT scans and ultrasounds could help your doctor look through what’s happening inside the body. This helps them confirm a sports injury diagnosis

TREATMENT

The RICE method may be a common treatment regimen for sports injuries. It stands for:

• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation

This treatment method is beneficial for mild sports injuries. For best results, the RICE method should be implemented within the first 24 to 36 hours after the injury. It can help reduce swelling and stop additional pain and bruising after a sports injury. The best way to cure sports injuries is to follow RICE, plus allowing a recovery timeline.

Both over-the-counter and prescription medications are easily available to treat sports injuries. Most of them tend to provide relief from pain and swelling. Surgery is considered to be the last and final treatment option for sports injuries. The surgical option often follows an extended period of treating an injury conservatively in an attempt to heal and regain function without the pain and recovery that accompany surgery. Fortunately, new surgery techniques, pain management protocol, and expert rehab therapists are making surgery a less painful option and somewhat easier road to settle on.

Effectiveness of Acupuncture treatment

Acupuncture is often a successful go-to therapy for all kinds of sports injuries. Research shows that it has positively been helpful for several people. Acupuncture is suggested to treat sports injuries in a better way than certain medications. It is an ancient Chinese physiotherapy that has become a well-liked and well-researched method for managing the pain and inflammation. Acupuncture also,

• Stimulates nervous system : Trigger points stimulated by acupuncture could release chemicals from the medulla spinalis , muscles and brain. Some of these could be naturally pain-relieving
• Chemical release : Releases opioid-like chemicals produced in the body. Along an equivalent lines because the theory above, acupuncture may release pain-relieving chemicals. These naturally occur within the body and have similar properties to opioid pain relievers (Hydrocodone or morphine are examples)
• Releases neurotransmitters : These are hormones that send messages regulating the on/off mechanisms of varied nerve endings. Acupuncture may stimulate some that shut off pain
• Triggers electromagnetic impulses in the bod These impulses can help speed the body’s way of handling pain, including the discharge of endorphins

Mechanism of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional therapy that supports the thought of energetics within the body

• Treatment consists of inserting needles at various pressure points on the body and through the skin. Needles aren't meant to cause pain, harm or discomfort
• A professional acupuncturist would target energy (or “qi” in Chinese medicine) points for treatment. These also are termed as meridians, with some being of special benefit to painful nerves and muscles within the back
• There are a couple of qi meridians that an acupuncturist may specialise in for sports injuries.Acupuncture needles are often placed where the injury occurred within the muscle or tissue, and also the encompassing areas, trauma site and at the brain and spinal cord level
• By stimulating these points, parts of the systema nervosum also are stimulated to alleviate pain. Acupuncture also can provide pain relief from other similar neuromuscular issues that there might not be too many pain remedy options

BEST CURE FOR SPORTS INJURY

Looking for a best solution to treat sports injuries, here’s why you should reach out to the expert Acupuncturist. A. Shaji Bharath from Dr.Bharath’s Acu Heal. He is currently treating patients for a wide range of conditions. As a certified acupuncture practitioner with 15 years of experience, with vast knowledge on orthopaedics and having worked with several Orthopedists, Acupuncturist. A. Shaji Bharath has seen Acupuncture doing wonders on people suffering from sports injuries. The effectiveness rate increases several times just with one course of Acupuncture and it can help alleviate the symptoms, reduce pain and address various conditions such as fractures, strains and sprains, helping patients get back to their normal routine at the earliest, by evaluating your condition and offering appropriate treatment. Most of the people swear by acupuncture, citing it as a ‘miracle’ in improving their quality of life, that focuses on injuries and conditions of your body's musculoskeletal system, which allows you to move, work and be active. Dial: +91 9884746916 or Visit: drbharathsacuheal.com for more details on treating sports injuries using Acupuncture.

BEST ACUPUNCTURE DOCTOR NEAR ME

To choose the Best doctor for Acupuncture, it's important that the Acupuncturist should have a decade of experience and treated at least 1000 to 2000 patients.

You can also search for the Best Acupuncture Doctor near me or ask your primary care physician to refer an experienced Acupuncturist nearby. Once you find the Best Acupuncture Doctor in Chennai, you may go through their google reviews first and then fix an appointment with the doctor only when you are satisfied with the reviews.

The Best Acupuncture Doctor should address your concerns and help you feel more comfortable before your first session. Acupuncture usually takes numerous sessions or several weeks to get a complete cure in any ailment but within 3 or 4 sessions the patients will experience positive differences.

BEST ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC NEAR ME

There are numerous clinics popping up and it is sometimes skeptical to choose the best or even the safe one. To address such concerns, you can look into the following points to choose the best acupuncture clinic for treating sports injuries. Acupuncture is also offered in hospital, pain clinics and by healthcare organizations but it is ideal to visit the best Acupuncture Clinic. If you are not sure, it would be a good idea to contact your local doctor to see if they would be prepared to refer to the best rated acupuncture clinics.Acupuncture is offered in top rated acupuncture clinics near me because conventional treatment has failed or produces unacceptable side effects. Most of the best acupuncture clinics will spell out very clearly what type of acupuncture they practice and how professional they are - at present anyone can set themselves up as an acupuncturist but reputable practitioners will belong to an organization. So while you are filtering the best clinics for acupuncture that treats sports injuries, you can look out for these factors.Treatment without surgery and drugs for sports injuries are possible in few cases, through acupuncture and it gives the best result.

We have been rewarded a 5-star rating from Google & Practo. You can also check the reviews there.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Taking a break from your regular (and perhaps beloved) activity can be tough to swallow. But remember, letting a sports injury go untreated could potentially sideline you for far longer, or even prevent you from returning to your sport altogether. Listen to your body and seek professional help when you need it. Dial +91 9884746916 or Visit: drbharathsacuheal.com for more details.

SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES

• Costa e Silva CL, Fragoso MI, Teles J. Physical activity–related injury profile in children and adolescents according to their age, maturation, and level of sports participation. Sports Health. 2017;9:118-125
• Lehman PJ, Carl RL. Growing pains: when to be concerned. Sports Health. 2017;9:132-138.
• Drew MK, Finch CF. The relationship between training load and injury, illness and soreness: A systematic and literature review. Sports Med. 2016;46:861–83.

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FAQ:

What are the services provided for sports injury by Dr. Bharath’s Acu Heal?

Sports injuries are injuries that occur when engaging in sports or exercise. Sports injuries can occur due to overtraining, lack of conditioning, and improper form or technique. Failing to warm up increases the risk of sports injuries. Bruises, strains, sprains, tears, and broken bones can result from sports injuries. Soft tissues like muscles, ligaments, tendons, fascia, and bursae may be affected.

After a thorough physical investigation and listening to the patient’s complaints, the severity of the injury will be understood by the Acupuncturist .

Acupuncture treatment will be given and in few sessions, positive changes will be experienced by the affected person and after several more sessions there are 90 to 100% chances that the patient will be healed of this injury. This treatment will help in inducing sound sleep which will help and play a vital role in reversing the inflammation. Simultaneously the patient will be advised on a diet and exercise regime.

What are the benefits of acupuncture for sports injury?

This is a drugless therapy and there are no side effects. During or after completing the course of treatment any form of medication if any can be stopped.

How many sessions do you need for sports injury?

In some cases it takes just 1 or 2 sessions , but in serious cases it takes around 30 to 40 sessions in a period of 4 to 5 months.