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The Pursuit of Health, Happiness, And Sports Injury

By: Nick Messe

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More people are participating in sports; professional, amateur, and individual throughout the world for the purpose of improving their health. Logic would indicate that this is a good trend, after all athletes are the epitome of physical health. However, for many individuals, this may result in numerous injuries and these injuries appear to be on the rise. Just ask your local podiatrist.

Some of the most common injuries seen at sports medicine clinics include abrasions, tendon ruptures, ankle sprains, blisters, muscle soreness, plantar faciitis (pain in the heel), shin splints, stress fractures, back problems, tendonitis, and so on. If you had to pick a part of your anatomy that receives the most punishment in sports related injuries, it would probably be your foot, or some part attached to your foot. Enter the foot doctor, or podiatrist.

A foot doctor, foot surgeon, or podiatrist are by their training, authorized to medically treat problems with the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Podiatrists hold a Doctor of Podiatry (DPM) degree. You're real familiar with this practicing niche in medicine if you've ever sustained a sports related injury that affects the foot or ankle. You may have also seen a podiatrist if you had sport related back injuries. Why? Most people are unaware that a good bit of our back problems come from improper support and posture created by our feet.

So assuming you have a foot related sports injury, the one you got in an attempt to get healthier, you're probably wondering how to get it fixed. It depends on the nature of the injury of course, but there are some similar general courses of action that are taken by most podiatrists at sports medicine clinics. Generally, the first step is to diagnose the problem using x-rays, or MRI. Once the root of the problem is discovered, corrective action begins. This may include pharmacotherapy, physical therapy, orthotics, or surgery.

Let's talk a little about each one. Pharmacotherapy is the treatment of the condition with medication, such as prescribing medication for pain and to reduce inflammation. It may also include the injection of certain chemicals such as cortisone, a steroidal anti-inflammatory drug into an affected joint. Many minor afflictions can be treated with medicine alone.

Physical therapy is the manipulation of the joints, muscles, tendons, etc. normally to increase strength in an area that is weak that results in some sort of imbalance. Physical therapy can include the use of stretches, exercises, and instruction on the proper way to perform a function without causing injury. It also can include the application of ice, heat, or electrical stimulus.

In some cases orthotics may be prescribed. Orthotics are inserts or actual footwear that are made to correct a particular physical problem with your foot. Finally, if none of these possibilities work, than surgery may be in order. Regardless of the method or the injury, it's best to visit your local podiatrist right away instead of trying to remedy the problem yourself.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Nick Messe is president of Lead Frog LLC. Foot and Ankle Clinics of America is recognized as one of the best established Hyde Park foot orthotics practices in the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana areas and is acknowledged as highly innovative and without peer in the area. Call us at 773-752-2111.

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