| It is inevitable. At some point in our lives, we will | | | | are very important in preventing shin splints, |
| have some form of an injury; either from an | | | | stress fractures, and joint pain. Also make sure |
| accident or from wear and tear on our body. But | | | | your equipment, like your shoes, are not broken |
| the good news is there are some things that we | | | | down as this can cause pain or an injury as well. |
| can do to help prevent sports injuries or prevent | | | | Proper mechanics are also very important. Make |
| one from coming back. Pay attention to the signs | | | | sure you have proper form for the activity you |
| and symptoms of on coming injuries and don't | | | | are performing. This applies to every activity |
| ignore them! Some typical signs are pain in your | | | | from walking to lifting weights. Bad form and bad |
| joints, swelling, reduced movement, and | | | | posture adds more stress on your muscles and |
| weakness in a certain area of the body. | | | | joints which in time will form an injury. Also when |
| If you are experiencing pain, for example a sharp | | | | you have bad form and posture, you will develop |
| pain in your knee, take a few days off. You don't | | | | a muscle imbalance and instability. If you are not |
| want your symptoms to get worse. Execute the | | | | sure about your mechanics and form, ask a |
| RICE method as soon as you can. RICE stands | | | | fitness professional to show the proper way. |
| for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. You | | | | You also want to make sure that before |
| want to rest to give your body time to heal it. | | | | partaking in an activity and exercise, you warm |
| This is imperative for proper healing. Ice is to | | | | up and stretch. Warming up helps loosen your |
| reduce the inflammation and swelling in that | | | | muscles and increases the blood flow and oxygen |
| injured area. Compression also helps with the | | | | to them. Warm up for at least 10 minutes and |
| reduction of swelling as does elevating the injured | | | | then do some stretches. You may also want to |
| area. Most of the time a few days off will do the | | | | stretch after wards. Especially after lifting weights. |
| trick. If your pain or discomfort continues, you | | | | Stretching after will help reduce muscle soreness. |
| should seek a health professional or sports injury | | | | Remember; use proper technique and proper |
| specialist. | | | | equipment. Use common sense when exercising. |
| Some tips to help prevent injuries are simple. | | | | If you are doing something that hurts, stop. Don't |
| Make sure you have the proper equipment for | | | | move past the point of pain. And if a pain lasts |
| the activity you are participating in. For example, if | | | | more than a few days, seek treatment. But most |
| you are a runner, good running shoes that fit well | | | | importantly, be safe and have fun working out! |