Super Bowl Fans Unite – Just Beware of Football Injuries!

Next weekend sees University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona as host to the 49th annual Super Bowl! Football fans across North America will gather together in bars and living rooms, indulge in some football fare and many will even grab a ball and host their own super bowl playoff game in the backyard or local park. But if you are like one of the many fans out there suffering from football injuries, the thought of an impromptu pickup game can leave you with a bad taste in your mouth.

Although most are mild to minor, and are often the result of contact, there are a still a vast number of common football injuries that plague players no matter the level of play:

Injuries to the knee and leg

• ACL/PCL injuries

• Various sprains and strains

• Shin splints

• Pulled muscles, groin or hamstring

Head, neck and shoulder injuries

• Concussions

• Torn rotator cuff

• Shoulder separation or dislocation

Foot and ankle injuries

• Ankle sprains and strains

• Achilles tendonitis

Back Injuries

• Muscle strains

• Lower back pain

So what are you to do if you’ve sustained one of these and suffer from the pain on a regular or intermittent basis? As many football injuries are minor, and thus don’t require surgery (just make sure to visit your sports medicine specialist to have a professional diagnosis – don’t attempt to diagnose or treat yourself – EVER!), there are some really effective treatment options available that can get you back on the field.

Physiotherapy – the manual manipulation of the injured area can go a long way towards recovery and rehabilitation of a football injury. It works to increase flexibility, strengthen muscles and reduce pain and swelling.

Chiropractic treatment – by adjusting and manipulating misaligned joints, chiropractic treatment can be incredibly effective in not only significantly reducing pain but also restoring normal function.

Concussion management – concussions can be incredibly difficult to diagnose, so even the slightest indication of a head injury should be looked at by a trained physician. Proper concussion management can determine whether a concussion has been sustained, and treat the injury accordingly, helping an injured player return to work and play safely.

If you have sustained a football injury, your best bet for recovery is to visit a sports medicine clinic. A physician trained and experienced with treating sports injuries specifically can assess your injury and use their vast knowledge and appreciation for your love of the game to get you back to peak performance levels as quickly as possible.

For more on treating common football injuries, or any other sports related injuries, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416 800 0800 or visit www.aesmphysiotherapytoronto.ca.