Injury Prevention: A Hard Lesson to Learn

By Donna Kostiew

Sometimes, the mistakes we make can become the tool we that we need to propel us forward on the right path. You know what I mean. Those hard lessons we have to learn, the process of going through something unexpected and really difficult to get to the point of becoming better. We’ve all been there as this can apply to most of the important parts of our lives … relationships, diets, career, and our health.

As with most lessons that are learned the hard way, injuries can be a definite wake-up call. This is particularly true if you are an athlete or are starting out on a new fitness journey.

Let This Serve as a Reminder

Many sports and fitness injuries have a way of reminding us that we are not invincible (do I sound like your mom when you were a teenager?) and that we often make “textbook” mistakes when working out:

• Too much, too soon
• Not enough training
• Subscribing to “no pain, no gain”
• Refusing to rest and rehab adequately after an injury

Avoiding preventable injuries is possible … you just need to be mindful of what you are doing, how you approach your fitness and athletic goals, and keeping your body in perfect condition with chiropractic care.

Injury Prevention Tips

Here are some suggestions that will make your body healthier and will help to prevent injuries.

• Slow introductions – Give your body time to get accustomed to the new fitness program you are delving into or the new sport you just started up. Sure, it’s exciting and can bring lots of new motivation to your life, but going in too fast and too much can wreak havoc on a body that just isn’t ready for it yet.
• Learn how to discern – Is it discomfort or is it pain? Once you learn how to discern between the two of these, it will be easier to know when to call it a day or when to keep at it but to slow down.
• Warm up/cool down – One of the most important steps to take before and after exercise is to warm up and then cool down your muscles and body. By doing so, you are less likely to tear or strain a muscle and will recover more quickly when your session is done.
• Cross Train – Cross training will help to improve and maximize your strength, speed, flexibility, and aerobic conditioning. By using different muscle groups during training, you will be able to reach a higher level of performance and fitness.
• Chiropractic care - Regular chiropractic care has been shown to reduce injuries, improve flexibility, and increase your range of motion. And just in case you are experiencing pain, it is a perfect start to effectively treat the source.

The lessons that are learned from being sidelined with injuries serve us well, but wouldn’t you just rather avoid them in the first place?

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Portland, Ore.