The transition from summer to autumn generally marks the beginning of several well-known events for many of us: cooler temperatures, children heading back to the classroom and for fanatics of American sports… the official kickoff of football season.For those actually playing the popular game of pigskin, especially on a collegiate or professional level, Fall is also an extremely crucial time to stay healthy in order to avoid getting hurt.
Because of the aggressive nature of this sport, major bumps and bruises are unfortunately common among football players of all ages or skill levels. Here are five of the most common football injuries along with a new treatment solution your healthcare provider or chiropractor may currently be offering:
1. Muscle contusions
This condition occurs in most cases from strong impact to one of the bigger muscles in the body, such as the quadriceps (the muscle at the front of the thigh). Contusions are deep, large bruises that are both painful and infamous for significantly hindering athletic performance until healed.
2. Knee injuries
Physical interactions such as tackling and blocking can cause a myriad of damage to the body, specifically in the knees. Impact from the front or the rear could result in a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), and sudden, forceful contact from the side could cause a tear in the MCL (medial collateral ligament). Additionally, the swift rotating movement of a player’s body while one foot remains planted could twist the knee, which could tear the meniscus.
3. Shoulder injuries
Depending on the particular position an athlete is playing on the field, injuries to the shoulder can take place in a number of ways. In the case of quarterbacks, continuous throwing can cause shoulder tendinitis as a result of repetitive movement and/or overuse. For other players, a powerful hit can cause shoulder dislocation (detachment of the head of the humerus from the scapula) or shoulder separation (separation of the acromioclavicular joint).
4. Ankle sprains and strains
Ankle injuries are one of the most typical injuries football players experience. Whether engaging in practice or participating in an actual game, sprains and strains can occur within the soft tissues of the ankles from excessive pressure, sudden pivoting and/or rapid changes in direction.
5. Torn hamstrings
Frequent training and thorough warm-up can be instrumental in preventing injuries such as torn hamstrings (the tendons located at the back of the knee). This specific injury is caused by explosive sprinting, usually when an athlete’s body isn’t properly conditioned to handle such rigorous bursts of speed.
Treating a football or other similar sports-related injury can be done using a variety of methods, many which can be done at home. One of the most well-known remedies among athletes today is RICE, otherwise known as the process of rest, ice, compression and elevation.
When injuries are more severe and require medical attention to expedite healing and return to the field in a timely fashion, acoustic wave therapy using The Miracle Wave® technology can be an ideal solution.
Acoustic wave therapy, or AWT, was approved by the FDA in 2000 for the treatment of plantar fasciitis (heel pain) and in 2002 for the repair of lateral epicondylitis (“Tennis Elbow”). Today this technology is used for a multitude of musculoskeletal conditions, including injuries as a result of contact sports like football.
If you or a fellow teammate are currently seeking treatment for a sports injury, visit our web site to learn more about how The Miracle Wave® can help repair, restore and rejuvenate conditions like yours TODAY!
