Effective Arch Support With Orthotics Helps You Avoid Leg Injuries
Injuries incurred during sports activities are an issue that many athletes and coaches are accustomed to. These injuries can cause physical pain to the athlete, but in many cases can set back the entire team. An injured team member can affect the outcome of games and can have lasting influence on the season as well. Just as one missing athlete affects a team, an injured body part has a negative impact on the entire body. Lower-leg conditions such as shin splints, ankle injuries, and twisted knees can be caused by improper form, lack of flexible muscle tone, and too much use of the areas below the knees. As reported by medical physicians at the Cleveland Clinic, the majority of athletes suffer from shin splints at one point or another. Here are ways to prevent and treat these painful conditions, as well as avoiding other recurring sports injuries.
Shin Splints: How They Originate
Shin splints cause symptoms such as frontal pain in the shin area. This pain can be dramatic and excruciating, especially when applying 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 activity, from cross country to basketball any athlete can be afflicted by these conditions. Shin splints treatment should be started right away to begin the healing process immediately. Shin splints treatment guidelines followed by sports therapists includes rest, elevation, and icing of the affected area for one to two days. Ongoing physical therapy and strengthening exercises include calf and ankle strengthening moves and stretching of the Achilles tendon and the muscles in the front of the shin.
Ankle and Knee Injuries Can Make the Season Come to a Halt
Ankle and knee injuries are another kind of sports injury that many athletes suffer from. This is caused by either an extreme impact, which cannot be avoided, or from weak muscles of the ankle, lower leg, and knee. Strengthening weak muscles can be accomplished through weight lifting or exercises prescribed by a physical therapist that target the knee and ankle. Damaged muscles lead to weakened support structures in the entire lower leg so that simple movements or shifts in position can cause twisting injuries. Another preventive measure for preventing these types of injuries are to provide the feet with the ideal amount of foot arch support. This can be accomplished specially-designed orthotic arch supports made for sports activities. The physicians at the Cleveland Clinic also advise taping the arch for extra arch support during sports activities.
How Tearing Injuries Happen
Spraining of the connecting structures of the lower leg are also typical kinds of sports injuries. This is most commonly found in the tendon in the back of the heel and the knee ligament. An Achilles injury is commonly caused by little flexibility in the heel tendon due to poor stretching technique. This is a vital part in the stretching routine that should never be skipped. Slow stretches without force are recommended for all sports participants. Holding the stretch for a minimum of 30 seconds, resting for a few moments, then repeating the stretch is what kinesiology specialists suggest. ACL (Anterior cruciate ligaments) are surrounding the knee area and help maintain the knee structure together. Injuries to this area can be avoided by strengthening the knee , calf and quadriceps through leg curls and leg extensions. Orthotic shoe inserts can help avoid both of these kinds of injuries by supplying proper arch support, ideal cushion, and proper foot form.