Sporting teams across Australia are well into their seasons, therefore common sports injuries are occurring during training and games. Players are going faster and harder to position themselves in a good position after the first few rounds.
It’s important that from the beginning of the season that players listen to their bodies. Likewise, coaches shouldn’t push players beyond their physical limits. It’s also important to put into place the correct First Aid procedures for sports injuries when they occur.
Football, rugby, soccer, and netball are all at risk of the same common injuries. It’s not just the duty of the player but it’s the responsibility of the coaches, trainers, and clubs to ensure that every injury, big or small, is provided with First Aid in the initial moments of an injury.
Australia’s most played sports
A survey conducted by the Australian Sports Commission revealed soccer was the leading sport to play across the country with 1.1 million participants. AFL came third after golf. Netball has the fourth-highest participants with over 640,000 taking the courts each week.
With the millions of Australians that compete over the winter sporting season, it’s no surprise that there are numerous common sports injuries.
Most common sports injuries:
- Accounting for almost half of cases, the most common injury is a fracture.
- Fractures most commonly involved the knee and lower leg (23%)
- Soft tissue injury was the second most prevalent sports injury with 10% of all cases.
First aid for sprains, strains and joint injuries
- Rest – keep the injured area supported and avoid using for 48-72 hours.
- Ice – Apply ice to the injured area for 20 minutes every 2 hours for the first 48-72 hours.
- Compression – apply a firm elastic bandage over the area, extending above and below the painful site.
- Elevation – raise the injured area above the level of the heart at all times.
- Referral – as soon as possible, see a doctor.
Avoid HARM:
- Heat – heat will cause bleeding.
- Alcohol – alcohol increases bleeding and swelling.
- Running – running or exercise increases blood flow, delaying healing.
- Massage – massage increases swelling and bleeding, also delaying healing.
Emergency situations
Call an ambulance for:
- Prolonged loss of consciousness
- Neck or spine injuries
- Broken bones
- Injuries to the head or face
- Eye injuries
- Abdominal injuries
Above all, treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury. Certainly, see your doctor if pain persists after a couple of days. What you may think is a straightforward sprain may actually be a fractured bone.
Trying to play before the injury is properly healed will only cause further damage and delay recovery. Consequently, the biggest single risk factor for soft tissue injury is a previous injury. While the injury heals, you can maintain your fitness by choosing forms of exercise that don’t involve that part of the body, if possible.
Chiro & Sports Med
Our chiropractors at Chiro & Sports Med are committed to providing chiropractic solutions to address your unique needs, whether you are experiencing an irritated nerve, bulging disc, back pain, neck pain, knee pain, headaches, or even muscular tightness and tension. You may be searching for pain relief after an accident or experiencing an injury. Our mission is to help reduce or eliminate pain and to prevent future problems and injury. Above all, we are here to improve your quality of life, well-being, and your ability to live an active healthy lifestyle.