Tips To Avoid Summer Sports Injuries

10 Ways to Prevent Injuries This Summer:

1. Properly warm up (take a quick 5-10 minute walk/jog to get that blood flowing and joints warm)
2. Lightly stretch before activity (stretch lightly to add flexibility to your muscles and ligaments).  Focus on stretching your legs and back the most.
3. Drink plenty of water/fitness water of some kind. (Water makes up the majority of the human body, you can get dehydrated fast and if that happens it greatly increases your chance for injury)
4. Properly cool down (5-10 min post exercise cool down followed by a deep stretch will help return your body back into its resting state and keep you less sore)
5. Practice proper form in any of the activities you perform.  Improper movements can increase injury as well.
6. Use supports or tape if necessary (Support your joints by providing the proper stability)
7. Stop trying to be a weekend warrior. (The majority of the time injuries occur do to the fact that people just push to much).  Exercise everyday even if for just 20 minutes.
8. Get proper rest (8-10 hours of sleep a night will supply your body with the proper time it needs to repair any injuries)
9. Wear the proper equipment (good shoes, helmets, pads, etc.)

10. Ice Ice Ice after exercise if sore or injured!!! (ice will decrease any inflammation that may be occurring at the site of injury or the overused joints)

During the past few years as the official, AVP volleyball chiropractor, Dr. Garrow has seen injuries first hand and many of them can be prevented.  He says “often even professional athletes forget to stretch properly or drink enough fluids which can lead to minor and severe injuries.” 

Dr. Tony Garrow is a local chiropractor located at 2204 Hwy. 35, Sea Girt, NJ.  You can visit him on the web at garrowchiropractic.com or on facebook at www.facebook.com/garrowchiropractic.