Utah’s mountains can offer amazing experiences in the winter. ‘Tis the season for Alex J. Nelson, MD and the team at Peak health and Wellness to treat the thousands of winter sports injuries that occur around the country every year. According to one study, 3.8 million people are treated every year in the US from winter sports injuries. Most of these injuries (69,000) are from snow skiing, but 54,000 are from snowboarding. There is also an average of 52,000 injuries from ice skating along with 5,000 injuries from sledding.
Enjoy the Season Without Pain
The most common types of injuries are strains and sprains, fractures, and dislocations. Most of the time, these injuries happen at the end of a day when people are tired and want to squeeze in just a little more winter fun. Most winter sports injuries are also preventable, but that gives little comfort to those who have already sustained an injury and are just looking for relief and treatment.
To avoid sports injuries, make sure you never partake alone. Use the buddy system. Warm-ups and cool-downs are important, as is using the right gear. Layering lets your body regulate its temperature. You’ll also want to keep an eye on the weather, make sure you brush up on the rules related to your winter sport, and maybe take a class as a refresher course.
One of the biggest mistakes when it comes to preventing further injury is not seeking medical attention as soon as you can. Even something seemingly minor like a strain or sprain can get worse if it’s not treated or you don’t follow the recommended protocol. The good news is that many winter sports injuries can be treated with a variety of non-invasive or minimally-invasive procedures.
Sometimes you’ll be prescribed pain medication, but this can be a slippery slope (even more so than that last hill you tackled with your snowboard). Some pain medication drugs are highly addictive even when used as prescribed for just a few days. Alternative pain management treatments like topical CBD oils and lotions can be just as effective with no risk of dependency. Other alternative therapies like epidural steroid injections or manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) can help with more serious pain or injuries.
Get Relief from Your Sports Injury
If you’ve suffered a sports injury or are experiencing any type of pain, help is available. Schedule a detailed evaluation with the friendly pain doctors at Peak Health and Wellness by booking your appointment online today.