Tuesday, October 7, 2008

"Sports" Injuries


People often want to classify whether they have a sports injury or not. Our culture has us believe that the sports injury is somehow more heroic or justified. Sometimes, the "sports injury" I see in the clinic is actually more work-related than you might think.

For example, I might see someone in the clinic who strained a hip adductor (groin) while playing hockey one Saturday night. In truth, their adductors and hip flexors were likely tight and weak (especially in the extended position) from hours of sitting behind a desk, Monday thru Friday. Feeling that tearing sensation during a big stride while accelerating on the ice was the result, but the root cause was actually well off the ice. The injury stemmed from weakness, tightness, muscle imbalances, poor trunk dissociation and faulty biomechanics.

So when you pick yourself up after you hurt yourself on the field, don't just look at your immediate surroundings and situation to find the cause of your injury. Look at the typical daily activities and postures you find yourself in for more answers.

Harry