When the snow starts to fall in the winter, it’s the best sign for winter sports lovers. It means that the slopes will soon be open for skiing and snowboarding, outdoor ice rinks will be opening for public skates, and hills start accumulating snow for children to sled on during the weekends and snow days! No matter what activity you love to do in the winter, it lets you get outside and play! Young or old, there is a winter sport for everybody to feel like a kid again.
To make sure you are able to perform your sport of choice all winter long, you should always be prepared to play; this is the first step in preventing any injuries from occurring while you are outside playing around on the ice and snow. The most common types of injuries people sustain when they perform their winter sports include strains, sprains, fractures, and dislocations.
To keep your winter sports season injury free so you can do them all winter long, follow these tips:
- Stretch thoroughly to ensure you stay warm. Tendons, muscles, and ligaments that are cold are more vulnerable to injury than when they are warm.
- Keep in good shape and condition your muscles. Being physically prepared to ski, snowboard or skate for an entire day is a must if you want to remain injury free!
- If you are new to your sport, try to find lessons from a qualified instructor to learn the basics and proper techniques to keep your body in the right positions at all times.
- If you have any nagging pain or are feeling exhausted, take a break for a moment to recoup. If pain persists, don’t go back out until you are feeling 100%!
- Go with a group of friends. This tip is more for skiers and snowboarders. If you get injured by yourself in the middle of a mountain, it will be very hard to make your way down. Having a group of people will be able to make their way to the bottom of the hill to find help while a few people stay with you to make sure you are in good spirits.
- Wear the appropriate gear including:
- Protective gear like helmets, gloves, goggles, and padding
- Several layers of light and wind-resistant clothing to stay warm
- Proper footwear that provides you warmth, ankle support, and keeps your feet dry
- Always stay hydrated. Even though it’s cold out and don’t sweat a lot, you are still exerting physical energy, so drink plenty of water before, during, and after your sport.
- If you have a sore spot, apply ice to the area for about 20 minutes. Repeat this every few hours every day until the pain is gone.
If you have sustained an injury through your winter sport and need a trusted chiropractor in Oakville, check out the services we provide at Dundas Chiropractic! We offer pain relief and mobility so you can get back to having fun in the snow! Give us a call at 905-257-5628 to book your first appointment today!