Stay Injury Free

Staying Off the Injured Reserve and Disabled Lists

Many of us have our athletic passions, and even obsessions … and with summer here, the weekend warriors are putting on their face paint.

Yes – we love to do all the things we can only do in the warm weather – and we only get about 4 months of it each year.  So, how can we bask in the glory without getting hurt?

The answer, my friends and followers, is in cross-training. Overuse injuries are common and can become chronic and vexing.  So, it behooves us to prevent them by using the gym for 30-45 minutes at least 3 times per week.

If you carve out sacred protected time in your schedule when it works for you and those who depend on you, then you will be giving yourself a generous gift.

If you don’t have a personal fitness trainer, find one and sign up for 3 or 4 sessions (at least) to make sure your exercise routine is balanced, your form and technique are safe and sound, and your training intensity and progression patterns are appropriate.

Many joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments are susceptible to injury.  The neck, shoulders, wrists, back, knees, and ankles are particularly vulnerable.

Fortunately, a thorough neurological and musculoskeletal evaluation can lead to a rapid and accurate diagnosis and an effective individualized treatment plan that would include stepwise resumption of athletic activity following a rational progression from basic to more advanced therapeutic exercise techniques and intensity.

When your physician understands the healing process, symptom control strategies, and biomechanics of movement, you can be guided safely back to the court, course, field, pool, or river, to return to your athletic passion and calling.  Go easy on the black grease under the eyes!