Wow, it's been a while since I posted. Sorry about that. We've been busy in the department these past few weeks.
This time of year marks the beginning of practices and tryouts for fall sports. Along with that come a whole lot of aches and pains, especially if you are not prepared. As always, prevention through preparation is the key, but for those still get hurt, here are a few suggestions.
General muscle soreness: This time of year, we tend to see a lot of quad and hamstring pulls. That muscle is not ready to do this stuff! Treat it right by stretching and warming up prior to activity, keep it warm during activity, and stretch/ice after activity.
Anterior knee pain: pain around the kneecap. This seems to be most common in girls, but boys do occasionally report this pain. It is often caused by a problem in the way the kneecap moves — flexibility or strength deficits can be factors. Ice the knee after practice and focus on stretching the lower extremities.
Shin splints: a painful inflammation which has a variety of causes — deconditioning, poor or worn footwear, running on hard or uneven surfaces or your style of running. This is one of the toughest conditions to deal with — the best way to deal with shin splints is to limit the activity which is causing them and cross train with other activities.
Some of these conditions will be serious enough to keep you out of the game; some will not. If you are limited during practice, talk to your coach, trainer, or doctor for the best course of action.