Many injuries actually can be healed by exercising and staying active.
Stay in the Game
WHETHER YOU’RE AN OLYMPIC athlete or a weekend workout warrior, it’s very likely you’ve grappled with a strain, a sprain or just plain old pain. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “overexer- tion”—which includes too much and/ or too strenuous exercise—was the sec- ond most common cause of injuries between 2004 and 2007, after falls. Michael Stehle, co-owner of The Train- ing Room, a personal training and fit- ness center in Avon By The Sea, New Jersey, says he sees a lot of ankle sprains from basketball, volleyball and football, as well as tendonitis, which is common in activities that require a lot of run- ning. For her part, Pilates instructor Andromeda Trumbull, D.C., co-owner of the Pilates Sports Center in Encino, California, works to help clients re-
A sports injury can sideline anyone. Learn how to keep moving when pain does strike. BY TERI HANSON
cover from “shoulder injuries caused by improper weight training, knee is- sues from excessive pounding or twist- ing, and low-back problems from improperly executed Pilates technique.” Clearly, exercise offers no shortage of ways to hurt yourself.
So the temptation might be to say,
Why bother? That’s a mistake, though. When it comes to staying healthy—or regaining your well-being if you have a chronic pain condition—almost noth- ing is as helpful as regular physical ac- tivity. And while some injuries result from being in the wrong place at the wrong time (say, your head gets in the way of an oncoming softball), most injurues can be prevented. Simple things such as warming up properly and using the correct gear, like a helmet when biking or shin guards for soccer,
can do a lot to keep you safe. And often you can even help rehabilitate an exist- ing injury by exercising and staying active. One of Stehle’s clients decided he wouldn’t let an ankle problem side- line him. “He can’t run, but he’ll ride the bike until he’s healed,” says Stehle. Here we’ve gathered some sound
advice from sports medicine experts to help protect you against an exercise injury, or bounce back from one.
DON’T OVERDO IT. When you’re launching into a brand- new physical activity resist the urge to go all-out from the start, cautions Ste- hle. Enthusiasm is great, but if you begin slowly and add intensity as you progress, you’ll train your body to gradually adjust to more stress. Simi- larly, make sure you use good form throughout your workouts; an incor- rect grip on your tennis racket or care- lessly lifting weights, especially when you’re tired, are recipes for injury. Not sure what “good form” means? Hire a certified personal trainer for a handful