What To Expect During a Sports Exam

Sports exams are commonly required for kids and teens who are participating in sports. Adults may also be required to complete a sports exam in some situations. While it may seem like a  hassle to go to the doctor’s office for an exam, it’s vital to ensure that you’re physically able to participate in the sport safely. Plus, here at Florida Wellness Medical Group, we’ll make it easy for you to get a sports exam with one of our experienced physicians. 

The Importance of Sports Exams

Sports exams are essential to complete for various reasons. For one, during the exam, your physician will make sure that you’re in good health and have the adequate physical fitness to participate in the sport. Your physician can also detect conditions that may make you more susceptible to injury. Continue reading

5 Sports Injury Treatments That Help You Come Back Even Stronger

sports injuries treatmentSports injury treatments are widely needed when you consider that there are more than 8.6 million sports-related injuries each year, and 20% of those injuries are bone fractures or other serious injuries, according to the CDC. 

A sports injury can take you off the field for a few days or it can end your season. Most athletes are eager to play again, whether they want to compete in high-level competitions or simply enjoy the camaraderie and exercise on the field. However, if you don’t take enough time to heal your injury, you could reinjure it or permanently damage your body. 

These sports injury treatments can’t promise an immediate recovery, but that can help you work to get healthier. If you recently suffered a sports injury, consider these options to help you heal.  

#1) Physical Therapy

One of the most common ways to treat sports injuries is with physical therapy. Your therapist will walk you through a series of exercises to stretch your muscles, improve your range of motion, and build back your strength. Physical therapy is often used after serious injuries where the athlete needs to get back to the same competitive level as before the break or tear. However, it can be valuable in all sporting levels. 

#2) Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is a popular treatment amongst athletes to help a variety of problems. Chiropractors can help with multiple types of injuries, not just back problems. For example, they can work to reduce pain in knee problems, sprains, strains, dislocations, and even fractures. Chiropractic care takes a whole-body approach to healing, making it one of the top sports injury treatments on this list.   

For more information on how chiropractic care can help athletes, watch this interview featuring Florida Wellness on Daytime on WFLA News Channel 8.

Related: What Can Chiropractic Care Do for Sports Injuries?

#3) Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is another option for sports injury treatments. This practice does more than help the body relax and reduce muscle tension. It can also help with pain relief, improve your range of motion, and improve circulation. At Florida Wellness, we offer a specific sports massage that targets muscle-tendon junctions subject to repetitive movements. We can also focus on the injured muscle group to help with recovery. 

#4) Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is an up-and-coming option for sports injury treatments. This is the process of applying cold air or mist in order to reduce swelling or inflammation. Depending on the method, cryotherapy can be used to treat acute injuries that are in the process of healing or chronic problems (like arthritis) to reduce long-term pain. Many NFL and NBA players, including LeBron James, have tried cryotherapy.    

#5) Rest 

This is the treatment that athletes need the most, but few have the patience for. Resting your injured body can help it recover faster. Even if you want to get back in the game, waiting a few days can help you come back completely and reduce the chances of reinjury. Your team needs you playing at 100%, not fighting through at 50%. 

Work With Specialists on Sports Injury Treatments

If you recently suffered a sports injury, seek out medical help – no matter how superficial it may seem. There may be underlying problems or sensitivity that is more serious than you first think. 

Request an appointment with Florida Wellness Medical Group and tell us your preferred time and location to see a medical specialist. Let us know that you have a sports injury that needs to be treated and we will find a way to help you. 

What Can Chiropractic Care Do for Sports Injuries?

Chiropractic care for sports injuriesA bad sports injury can leave an athlete stranded, with their season and even their careers on the line, as they try to figure out what is next. Many athletes undergo complicated surgeries that require months of medication and therapy to recover.

However, some people are turning to more holistic alternatives or complementary additions to injury treatment, including chiropractic care. Here are the benefits of chiropractic care for sports injuries and how you can make the most of this treatment plan.

Chiropractic Care Heals More Than Just Back Problems

Chiropractic therapy is not limited to back and spinal care.

Many people make the mistake of assuming that they don’t need chiropractic care unless they have back problems. However, the goal of chiropractic care is also to improve joint function while reducing inflammation and pain.

Problems that athletes encounter across all different playing fields for all different body parts can benefit from targeted chiropractic therapy. A few common sports injuries that athletes treat with chirotherapy include:

  • Knee problems
  • Sprains
  • Strains
  • Dislocations
  • Fractures

From pitchers in baseball to tight ends in football, athletes can use chiropractic care to make sure they are pain-free when they take the field. It can be used in conjunction with physical therapy or on its own as a treatment method.

Chiropractic Therapy Takes a Whole-Body Approach

Chiropractic care for sports injuries is effective because the body works as a singular unit. When one part of your body is misaligned, other parts have to compensate to make up for it.

For example, if spinal misalignment changes how you walk, you could end up building muscles in different, unexpected places. This can reduce your performance on the field or court and make you more susceptible to injury.

It is not uncommon to see knee and hip injuries because of poor spinal health.  

Chiropractic professionals take a holistic, whole-body approach to the problem. They understand that treating one area will only help you so much. Effective chiropractors will review your entire bodily performance and look for ways to help you reduce pain and maintain your flexibility so you can focus on training your hardest.

Chiropractic Care Improves Performance

Chiropractic therapy isn’t just meant to treat sports injuries, it can also be used to improve performance.

Chiropractic sessions will make you more flexible, loose, and nimble, making you better prepared for any opponent you face.

If you don’t have existing back or body problems, chiropractic care can work as a preventative treatment to keep you at peak performance levels. However, if your spine has been misaligned for several years, this form of holistic treatment can get back on track to reach your full potential.

Discover Chiropractic Care for Sports Injuries

If you are looking for a non-medicated, non-surgical approach to treating or preventing your sports injuries, consider working with a chiropractor who specializes in working with athletes.

Request an appointment with the chiropractic specialists at the Florida Wellness Medical Group. We can review your needs and recommend a treatment plan for chiropractic care for sports injuries so you can play your best on the field knowing there are medical professionals who have got you covered.

Call us at 844-935-5669 or request an appointment today.

Workout When You Work! Yes It’s Possible

Is a nine-to-five schedule keeping you from exercise? Too much sitting is bad for your heart and spine health. So get off your seat and make the following activities a part of your daily routine.

Tap the Toes!

Unleash the inner dancer in you by tapping your toes on the floor under your desk. Want a harder move? Use the office trashcan to your advantage. Stand in front of it and keep on tapping your toes on its edge, alternating your feet – true it’s more conspicuous, but undoubtedly an effective way to burn a few more calories.

Take the Stairs!

Why take the elevator when you can do a big favor to your heart by simply using the staircase? Speed up when climbing down. Take two steps at a time while climbing up. The rewards? You can burn two to three times more energy than walking at a brisk pace.

The Desk Squat

Squats are an excellent exercise for your core muscles, especially for those of your lower body. All you need to do is stand with your feet together, away from the desk. Bend the knees in a way so the thighs can rest parallel to the ground. The posture is almost like sitting in an invisible chair. Now raise your arms straight up or towards the computer screen. Hold on for 15 seconds and release. Repeat four to six times for the best result.

Stand Up

Yes, you heard it right – stand up whenever you can and burn calories. Long periods of sitting may lead to obesity, and worse still, may increase your risk for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Standing, on the other hand, accelerates your daily caloric expenditure.

Wall Sit

Wall sit exercise can give you a stronger heart and improved blood pressure, plus beautifully toned limbs. Stand with your back against the wall. Now slowly slide your back down the wall until the thighs are parallel to the floor. Hold on for 30 to 60 seconds. For extra burn, try it with crossed legs.

Where there is a will, there is a way. If you really want to live a healthy and active life, you really can without turning your schedule upside down. Simply incorporate some activities in your workday routine. Convert your work station into a health-station with these cool ideas.

4 Tips to Treat Sports Injuries in Children Naturally

Pain, strains, sprains, bruises and blisters are inevitable for an active child. And, for kids who actively participate in sports, the possibilities of sports injuries are even higher. Though 3.5 million sports injuries are reported in the US every year, only one out of four of these sports-related injuries are severe, while the rest can opt for natural remedies. Next time your child is injured, do not let him pop ibuprofen pills. Instead, treat injuries without using analgesics. Here are four tips to treat sports injuries in kids in a natural way:

1. Apply Cold Pack or Ice

Apply cold or ice packs immediately on the affected area. Apply it for 10 to 20 minutes and repeat the process every 2-3 hours. The cold will lessen pain, inflammation and swelling in the injured muscles, connective tissues and joints. Remove the cold pack right away if you notice that the injured area has turned white. This is an indication of a cold injury.

2. Let your Child Rest

Make sure that the injured area is protected. Let your kid refrain from activities that resulted in the injury. Do not allow your child to move. Prevent him from participating in activities that will aggravate the pain or swelling.

3. Apply Compression on the Affected Area

Apply wrapping or compression around the affected area to reduce swelling. Use an elastic bandage and ensure that you do not wrap it too firmly as that would result in increased swelling below the bandaged area.

Consult our sports medicine doctor Jeralyn Allen, MD, if you feel that you need to apply the compression for more than 48-78 hours. In case of a serious problem, Dr. Allen will help to heal your kid’s sports injury as she has specific training and experience in sports-related injury, physical medicine issues, joint injections and minor skin procedures.

4. Elevate the Injured Area

Raise the injured area on firm pillows when applying the cold pack or any other time when your child sits or takes rest. Keep the affected area above the heart level to reduce swelling.

Is your child suffering from a serious sports injury? Get in touch with our sports medicine doctor right away.