Winter Sports Injury Rehab: How to Prevent Injuries and Enjoy the Snow and Ice
When snow blankets the ground, it’s an exciting time for winter sports. However, it’s also the busiest time of year for hospitals tending to injuries. If you want to avoid an injury that keeps you confined indoors for the rest of the season, these tips will help you prevent those winter sports injuries.
– Start Out Strong
Before you head out there with your skis, snowboards, or ice skates, get your muscles built up strong. By building up strength and conditioning these muscles, you’ll be less likely to get hurt.
– Always Warm Up
Warm ups help get your muscles ready for action. When your muscles are cold, they’re more easily injured. Stretch your arms, legs, and back, and don’t forget to twist your torso back and forth. Circle your arms and engage in squats to energize your limbs. And don’t forget to rotate your wrists and ankles.
– Get In Gear
When you’re all bundled up in your gear, that’s when you should be doing your warm up exercises. But don’t stop there! At the top of the slopes, give your muscles a quick warm up again. They will have cooled down while waiting for the ski lift.
– Make Sure All Gear Is Good to Go
For your chosen winter sport, the right gear is important to prevent injuries too. Layers underneath will provide you with warmth. Helmets are essential too, even if you’re just taking the kids for a sled ride in the back yard.
– Don’t Drink Until After
If you’re vacationing at a ski lodge, you surely want to cut loose and have fun. But save those cocktails for later. Even just one drink can affect your judgement and your performance, plus it can throw you off balance when it really counts.
– Learn How to Fall Properly
Your body’s impulse to self-correct during a fall can cause muscle strains. If you can’t prevent the fall, try landing on your buttocks or your side and roll. Fighting the fall is one of the worst things you can do.
– Seek Physiotherapy Services
If you have been injured in the past in any season, it is well worth it to work with a physiotherapist who can help you rebuild strength in your body. This will also help you prevent injuries as you move forward and allow you to enjoy getting out there for those winter sports too.
At In Your Home Therapy, our expert physiotherapists come to you in your home. You can get more done this way rather than sitting in a waiting room to wait for your turn. Start packing for that ski trip and schedule an appointment today!
