Avoid Soccer Injuries with Chiropractic
By Sara Butler
Soccer season is here and with it comes a chance for injury. The very nature of the sport of soccer creates a perfect storm for injuries – for both adults and children. The chance of colliding with an opponent on the field, the repeated movements and the constant motion of the sport can give injuries the perfect opportunity to occur. Here’s what you need to know in order to prevent soccer injuries and how your chiropractor may be able to help.
Common Soccer Injuries
Soccer is a sport where you use your entire body. There's a lot of running, jumping, kicking and even colliding that can all result in an injury. The most common injuries from soccer are:
- Injuries to the arms or legs
- Overuse injuries
- Injuries to the head, face or neck
The good news is that you aren’t destined for injury just because you enjoy playing soccer. Taking certain precautionary measures will help decrease your chances.
Using the Proper Equipment
One of the cardinal rules of injury prevention in any sport is to use proper equipment. You need equipment that fits correctly, and in the case of soccer, you also need the proper uniform, shin guards, and cleats to help keep you from getting hurt.
You have to keep in mind that children change and grow rapidly, so if your child plays soccer you need to be diligent to ensure they have equipment that fits them properly in order to keep them safe and protected.
See Your Chiropractor
Before your season even begins, you should get in to see your chiropractor for a pre-season checkup. If you’ve let your fitness level lapse a bit over the summer, this is going to be even more important since not having your body properly conditioned can increase your chance of injury once you resume playing.
When you visit your chiropractor, he or shee will be able to assess you and make sure there are no underlying issues that will have an impact on your performance once you begin the season. They can make sure your spine is properly aligned and that your joints are functioning optimally in order to help your performance and keep you healthy.
Even if you take these precautions it doesn’t mean you can’t get injured. If you do hurt yourself during the season, you need to make sure to get into your chiropractor in order to have the injury assessed. Don’t forget that applying ice to acute injuries is always going to be your first line of defense, and rest the injured area if the injury is severe enough.
If you have questions or concerns, discuss them with your chiropractor during your next visit to The Joint Chiropractic!