Physiotherapists treat sports injuries
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Updated: November 18, 2009 2:31 PM
The injuries that walk through Wendy Otto’s door depend on the season.
The owner of Summerland Physiotherapy sees different trends throughout the year. Right now, it’s hockey injuries.
“Once the ski hills open up, we see those. Slow pitch season comes around, we see those.”
Otto said the common injuries her physiotherapists attend to depend on the sport.
She noted knee injuries are common among skiers, while ankle injuries are more common among snowboarders due to the way they are attached to the board.
Otto said wrist injuries are also common in snowboarders, as they do not have anything to save them when they fall forward.
“It’s very sports specific. In hockey, we see a lot of shoulder injuries, concussion, whiplash... They are very varied in their movements.”
Being injured, said Otto, does not have to come with being involved in sports.
She said prevention measures can include wearing the protective equipment that is recommended for the sport, and getting proper instruction before going on the ice or slope.
She noted awareness of your surroundings can also help reduce the risk of injury, and so can a proper warm-up.
Otto pointed to slow pitch as a good example. She said people who have been sedentary for most of the winter months, are maybe not as active and do not warm up properly can still run too hard on the first day of the season.
“The very first time they have a hit, we’ll probably see most of those people in the clinic.”
Otto pointed out often such a runner will injure a quadricep or hamstring in their leg. She stressed the importance of a proper warm-up.
The variety of injuries walking through the doors of Summerland Physiotherapy are wide, but Otto enjoys the variety.
“I don’t ever have the same day twice.”
She said that unfortunately injuries do happen, but how quickly people seek medical attention can make a difference in their rehabilitation time.
Otto pointed out that the sooner someone goes in to see their doctor and physiotherapist, the sooner they can get going on a rehabilitation and exercise program.
