April/May is peak season for sports injuries!…
May 24, 2010 4 Comments
And it’s no wonder with many Australians across the country now returning to play their particular form of footy or other high impact sports. In a recent Chiropractor’s Association of Australia (CAA) media release, Dr Peter Garbutt (a sports chiropractor) mentioned that Australian Rules Football was the biggest culprit, closely followed by rugby, soccer, netball and hockey.
Dr Garbutt mentioned that in particular serious hamstring injuries can result from participation in such hard running sports, when the “weekend warriors” return from an off season. “Back problems are also a major issue and can be intertwined with hamstring injuries, whereby one injury can trigger the other.” In a study produced by Dr Garbutt their seemed to be an increased risk of more severe and frequent low-back pain with increasing levels of football competition. One statistic highlighted that amongst amateur Aussie Rules players 27% reported to have suffered from long term or recurrent back problems.
However, if we consider a holistic approach to returning to the sporting field, including regular maintenance, good nutrition, appropriate warm up and warm down protocols including stretching after a game, being prepared with a proper training regime, easing back into exercise after a break and hydration on the field.
If you have had an extended break from participating in sport, you would be recommended to visit your local chiropractor to have a tune up and ensure you are raring to go! Your Chiropractor specialises in the diagnoses and treatment of spinal health related problems.
Increasingly Chiropractors are becoming involved in a team/club environment in order to help participants with biomechanics, correct spinal function and working to combat the stress the body is placed under during competition. “No matter what sport you play, you will be placing your body under structural stress,” Dr Garbutt warned. “There are benefits to be had in ensuring your body has a regular tune up and is ready to perform at its peak – in the same way that you would regularly book your car in for a service.”
Dr Christopher Hodgetts is a chiropractor at Hillarys Chiropractic, Perth Western Australia. Read more…
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Hey how are ya Chris.
I agree with the whole footy diagnosis. What’s the best way to combat 3rd and 4th quarter occasional hamstring, back hip and frequent calf cramps.
I’m good mates with Sean but since the topic is footy I thought i’d just put this in here..
Levi
Hi Levi,
. Cramps are, basically, when a muscles has shortened or tightened suddenly and caused sharp pain. They mainly occur due to the muscle not being supplied with enough water or electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium etc). But overexertion may also be a culprit, and the cramp will likely occur when the muscle is overtired and then asked to do even more. This is what is happening during your games, the muscles are tired because you have been running, and then during the last half when you ask them to do a particularly powerful contraction (like jump for a mark) they can cramp up.
Apologies on not noticing this comment earlier, the blog didn’t send me a notice of a comment.
Now, this is actually quite a complicated question to answer, but I’ll try and limit my response
So my advice would be three fold! Ensure when the water boy is running past, you manage to grab the bottle and stay hydrated. Secondly, keep up your electrolytes, either through energy drinks or electrolyte replacement powders. Lastly, a recent study has shown that those Aussie Rules players undergoing regular chiropractic care (in particular pelvic adjustments) are less likely to suffer later game hamstring injuries and lower limb cramps. The reason for this is quite logical… If your pelvis is restricted in it’s movement you ask the hamstrings and gluts to perform under compromised conditions, because they in fact attach onto the pelvic girdle! And it is not hard to reason that someone that does a lot of running (a jarring/ballistic activity) would have restrictions build up in the pelvis and low back. So make sure you get down and see Dr Sean for some good old fashion adjustments!!
PS Thoracic adjustments prior to activity have been shown to increase your total lung capacity! So this is why every AFL team should have a Chiropractor on their Medical Staff
Cheers,
Dr Chris Hodgetts
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Thanks Chris. Only just saw this haha