Common Sports Injuries

There are many different types of injuries that can afflict an athlete, varying by type of sport, training regimen, intensity of workout, and more. However, here at Thrive Healing Massage we find that there are a few injuries that seem to occur quite frequently. The following is a quick list of some of the most common sports injuries that can be treated either solely with massage therapy or with massage therapy as a part of a more complete medical procedure.

Jumpers Knee

Jumpers knee is also referred to as patellar tendinopathy, and is a condition where the tendon in the knee begins to deteriorate. The patella tendon is what joins a person’s kneecap to the shin bone, and it allows the quadriceps to straighten the leg. It is generally a strong tendon, but if put under serious stress can begin to tear and degenerate. This generally affects athletes who put repeated stress on their knee during jumping or changing direction rapidly.

Symptoms of jumpers knee include:

1. Pain at the bottom front of the kneecap
2. Stiff or achey knees after exercise
3. Pain when the quadriceps are exerted
4. The kneecap may appear larger on one leg than the other
5. Calf muscle weakness

IT band syndrome is another form of runners knee that is common among athletes. This type of syndrome can be caused by a wide variety of different things, most having to do with excessive use of the knee and legs. Some people are born with a naturally tight or wide IT band, and so even with normal use may develop IT band syndrome. Athletes who do hill running or run on a slightly arched surface on a regular basis are also at risk for developing IT band syndrome. Having two different length legs or weak hip or gluteus medius muscles may also contribute to IT band syndrome.

Symptoms of IT band syndrome are similar to runners knee. Patients may experience pain on the outside of the knee, tightness in the IT band, pain during downhill running, pain during extension of the knee, weak hip abductors, or even tender spots in the gluteal area.

Pulled Hamstring

A pulled hamstring is a common injury among athletes that involves the tearing of one or both of the hamstring muscles in the leg. The hamstring muscles work to bend the knee and move the thigh, all at the same time as extending the hip. The motion of the hamstring is what causes it to be easily pulled, especially during sprints or hurdles. The pull occurs when the muscles are close to their maximum length, just before the sprinters foot reaches the ground. Thrive Healing Massage therapists are experienced in dealing with hamstring pulls, and we can tailor a massage therapy routine to help you get back into your training regimen as soon as possible.

Symptoms of a pulled hamstring include:

1. Sharp pain at the back of the leg during sprinting or other exercise
2. Pain while stretching the hamstring
3. Pain while the muscle contracts
4. Swelling and bruising of the hamstring
5. Visible gap in the hamstring muscle

A pulled hamstring has three different grades of severity. The least severe type of pulled hamstring consists of minor tears in the muscle, while the most severe consists of a complete rupture. A medium grade hamstring pull means that the athlete suffers from partial tears of the hamstring.

Rotator Cuff Injury  

The rotator cuff consists of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis muscles which all work together to operate the shoulder. These four muscles aid in the joint’s rotating movement, which is commonly injured in sports like swimming or baseball. Rotator cuff injuries can vary from inflammation of the tendons to tears in the tendons or muscles. It can occur in any four of the muscles named above.

Tearing of the rotator cuff generally occurs after a sudden, rapid movement of the shoulder. It can happen as a part of a normal sports routine (pitching, swimming) or as the result of an accident. Symtoms of the tearing of the rotator cuff include severe pain in the shoulder and arm, limited movement of the shoulder, tenderness at the point of the tear (shoulder), and loss of range of motion of the shoulder. Chronic tears can also happen, and these occur as a result of overuse. The symptoms for a chronic tear that develops over a long period of time include pain of the dominant shoulder, gradual worsening of pain and weakness, inability to lift arm to the side, and other limitations of movement.

If you’re suffering from any of the above sports injuries, give Thrive Healing Massage a call at 206-547-5677 to set up an appointment.