Common Sports Injuries
Those targeting optimal health should be aware of the most common sports injuries in order to avoid them as often as possible and heal them when they occur. While I highly recommend dance and exercise for the goal of better mental and physical health, it is also recommended to be cautious of overexertion and to never continue any activity that has caused an injury until that injury has completely healed. Some of the most common injuries in dance and sports are: 
Sprained Ankles
Hamstring Pulls
Knee Injuries
Groin Pulls
Shin Splints
Shoulder Injuries Achilles Strains and Tears | Pulls and sprains are common sports injuries that can happen in several parts of the body. Pulls happen as a result of overusing or over stretching a muscle, which results in the muscle's tendons or fibers being torn. Sprains, on the other hand, occur as a result of ligaments, which connect bones AT the joints, being stretched beyond their natural limits.
| Prevention: - Warming up before engaging in a physical activity helps in avoiding these most common injuries. Doing so prepares muscles by increasing the amount of blood flow they receive, as it also loosens them up so that they can be used more flexibly. When muscles are prepared for an activity ahead of time, common sports injuries to these areas are less likely to occur.
- Another helpful hint involves listening to your body. When your muscles begin to feel fatigued, your body is telling you that it has reached its limit. Fatigued muscles are vulnerable to injury and, by simply stopping an activity when fatigue sets in, a painful injury and a prolonged recuperation time can be prevented.
Healing - Some injuries will heal on their own. Icing immediately following an injury is recommended to reduce inflammation. Check with your doctor when to apply heat. Others injuries may require assistance. For instance, in the case of an ankle sprain, if the area above the ankle feels tender, it is possible that bones in the lower part of the leg have separated and a thorough examination by a doctor, right away, is advised.
- Also, knee injuries involving a popping sound at the time of injury, and where extreme pain and swelling is present, may be an anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, tear. Symptoms may also include a feeling that the knee cannot support one's weight or that it is giving out. An ACL tear is one of the most common sports injuries that sometimes require surgery and rehabilitation therapy. The longer a doctor's visit is avoided, the longer ACL tears take to heal. Therefore, I recommend seeing a doctor immediately if an ACL tear is suspected.
- Remembering that common sports injuries can often be avoided, it is important that one not try to jump too fast into a highly demanding sport or dance after a long period of inactivity or after an injury. Good dancers know that engaging in regular practice and warming up is highly recommended to avoid injuries like those discussed here.
| If under a doctor's care, always consult with your doctor before beginning a new athletic program. | Be mindful to listen to your body at all times and enjoy the Dance! Want to know more about Dance and Fitness? Click on the links below:
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