Chiropractic Care and Winter Sports!
Who out there is planning a snow trip? Get some skiing in? Maybe a few snowboard jumps in the snow park? Well it is still the snowy season (hard to believe if you are in Southern California) and people are planning their fun in the not-so-sun. With all the trips to the snow and cold weather sports people partake in a few slips and falls are bound to happen. Dr. Paul Bekkum, a chiropractor in Fargo, ND, is cautioning us snow bound folks to address winter sport related injuries in a timely manner. He isn't trying to be a wet blanket at the ski slope, he is simply cautioning, "Even skilled skiers and snowboarders can suffer a bad spill on the slopes. After a sports accident, prompt treatment is important for preventing long-term injuries and chronic pain."
For some reason people like to ignore good advice... but this isn't one we should be ignoring! Falls happen on the ski slopes, and with those falls come some immediate injuries that can lead to long-term issues. Unfortunately some falls cause whiplash and others can even end with a herniated desk. It is important to know that these spinal injuries might create chronic neck and/or back pain. "We always advise patients who have sustained a fall while skiing or snowboarding to seek immediate treatment," said Dr. Bekkum. "The faster we can diagnose a misalignment, the more we can do to prevent scar tissue from forming."
It is very hard to think about a long-term picture when we are carving down the mountain on a snowboard, or zigzagging through the trees on a set of skis; however, we need to. No one is invincible on the mountain, and eventually there is a tumble or two. We need to remember to value our bodies, and if an injury occurs we should take appropriate care to ensure it doesn't become a bigger problem down the road. Should a spinal injury occur, even one as small as a little whiplash, it is a good idea to check in with your chiropractor. A good spinal adjustment addresses the root of the pain, and works to heal the source. Dr. Bekkum advises, "Once a spinal misalignment occurs, chiropractic care is essential to restoring proper alignment. Otherwise, as long as the spine and extremities remains misaligned, patients will continue to experience pain."
So this winter sport season remember to have fun, and remember to take care of yourself. If you do have an accident, even a small one, do the proper follow-up to ensure a successful healing process. Keep the memories of the 180 degree jump with you, not a chronic spinal pain from the spill that happened right after you landed.
Picture: http://www.itij.co/story/117