How To

How to Use Osteopathy to Treat Sport Injuries

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(2 Ratings)

Sports injuries are common, due in part to the player's lack of preparation. Because of the increased contact and sudden, unpredictable movements sports requires, you can easily acquire acute ankle, hip and shoulder injuries. You can treat them with osteopathic medicine, which treats injuries in a holistic way. Osteopaths believe that whole body conditioning will reduce the risk of sports injuries. Treatments are generally inexpensive. Practitioners may choose to use high-velocity, low-impact adjustments like spine cracking for an instant result. Alternatively, some may use soft tissue manipulation (gentle movement of the tissue). Follow these steps to learn more.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Computer with Internet access

    Consider Osteopathy to Treat a Sport Injury

  1. Step 1

    Research the active release technique, used by osteopathic practitioners to effectively treats sports injuries relating to hamstring and leg pain.

  2. Step 2

    Consult, if possible, with athletic trainers to determine a complementary course of rehabilitation in addition to visiting your Doctor of Osteopathy.

  3. Step 3

    Select osteopathy as an alternative to drug treatments to treat a sport injury holistically.

  4. Treat Your Injury from the Field

  5. Step 1

    Remember to rest. This will help reduce stress to the affected area.

  6. Step 2

    Consider using ice or analgesics to reduce the inflammation and swelling.

  7. Step 3

    Use compression bandages to wrap the injury.

  8. Step 4

    Elevate the injured part to help circulatory systems and blood flow.

  9. Step 5

    Attend to an injury as quickly as possible.

  10. Step 6

    Restrict further activity until the injury can be properly evaluated.

  11. Reduce Future Injuries

  12. Step 1

    Learn to prevent sports injuries. Your osteopath can instruct you on stretching exercises and routines that are intended to reduce injuries of the muscles and lower your risk of joint strain.

  13. Step 2

    Protect areas of vulnerability by taking preventative measures such as the use of wraps and supports when engaging in sporting activities.

  14. Step 3

    Educate athletic team personnel in holistic philosophies, which can be less invasive than traditional drug and surgical methods.

Tips & Warnings
  • Hands-on methods used by osteopaths are typically gentle, safe and effective with repeated sessions. The cost is generally moderate.
  • Osteopathic medicine is known to create a positive influence on your circulatory and nervous systems. This effects your entire body by improving overall elasticity and mobility.
  • Poorly treated, misdiagnosed or untreated sports injuries can have long term effects which may lead to early degenerative conditions.
  • Injuries to the head or injuries that cause loss of consciousness should be treated by emergency room staff immediately.
  • Before you start any alternative medical technique, consult your doctor. Keep your doctor informed about any treatment you undertake.

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