As we are about to wind down from summer vacation, we thought we would take a look at the most common injuries we see coming into our offices during these active summer months. People definitely spend more time outdoors in the summer. With more physical activity comes the risk of injury, and we see quite a few of these injuries during the hotter months of the year. Here’s a look at some of the common summer injuries.

Sprained Ankles

Yes, chiropractic doctors can treat not only the neck and back, but even a sprained ankle or two. One minute you’re running like the wind, take a wrong step and the next minute, you’ve got a twisted ankle. Ankle sprains occur when the foot twists or rolls beyond its common range of motion. Symptoms of a sprain can be as mild as tenderness or as severe as swelling, instability, and even bruising. The most common method to treat a sprained ankle is referred to as “RICE.” The “R” stands for rest, and it’s best for you to take it easy and avoid walking on your ankle until the pain subsides. You also want to ice your ankle for the first 72 hours following your injury. You also want to wrap your ankle in a compression wrap to further reduce the swelling for the first 24 to 26 hours. It is very important to keep your ankle elevated above your heart level for a couple of hours a day until it starts to feel better. But remember, take it easy and put ice on it to relieve the swelling and prevent further injury.

Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries commonly occur to many sports enthusiasts, whether it be water skiing, swimming, playing tennis or baseball. Most injuries result from overuse or putting too much pressure on the shoulder. These injuries can impact the rotator cuff, which causes both sprain and strain. If you are experiencing mild pain, then you might just need to ice your shoulder and some rest. However, if your symptoms are more severe, then you should seek a chiropractic doctor.

Shin Splints

This is an incredibly painful condition that often occurs in runners and dancers following intense use of the leg muscles. Overuse causes the muscles to swell and feel irritated, which is how shin splints form. The best way to treat shin splints is with lots of rest and ice. You could take anti-inflammatory medicine to relieve the pain as well.

Groin Strain

Groin strains often occur in sports that require constant movement, such as tennis and soccer. When you suddenly change the direction of your movement and stretch your ligaments outside of their normal range of motion, you experience pain inside of your thighs. You can treat groin strain with rest and ice, just remember to take it easy and prevent injuring the affected area even more.

Concussions

Contact sports such as football, rugby or even mountain biking accidents can cause hard hits to the head, which result in concussions. Symptoms include nausea, disorientation, dizziness, and amnesia. If you think you may have experienced a concussion, then visit a doctor as soon as possible.

We sincerely hope that you do not experience any of the above summer injuries. If you have been in a car accident or you experience chronic pain, contact us at Genesis Health and Wellness in Holladay, Utah to see the many ways we can help you. We use the latest technology and the newest techniques to speed up your recovery process and get you back into the summertime fun.