How to Prevent Common Exercise Injuries
posted by Michael Carlson, MD | November 2, 2017
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gym-goer, a workout injury can happen to anyone. Even something as simple as walking can cause an injury, and anyone participating in a workout or physical activity may be at risk.
Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce your risk of getting hurt. Here are some of the most common workout injuries to be aware of and what you can do to prevent and treat them.
Common Workout Injuries
A number of different injuries can be sustained during a workout, including:
Prevention
Remember: All women over age 55 and men over age 45, or anyone with a medical condition at any age, should check with their doctor before beginning a workout regimen. This will ensure that you’re healthy enough for the type of workout you’re planning to engage in.
Some more specific tips for avoiding workout injuries include:
Treating Injuries
If you do sustain a workout injury, follow the RICE method for treatment:
In some cases, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen can ease pain after an injury. Check with your doctor before taking these, however.
In most situations, workout injuries will heal by themselves in four weeks or less. If the injury gets worse or hasn’t improved after a week, seek medical care. Don’t take part in activities that trigger a given injury, though you can still be active in other ways—in fact, staying active can help you heal more quickly. Once you recover properly from an injury, start slowly when doing a workout that includes the area that was injured.
Your doctor can offer additional recommendations on preventing and treating workout injuries.
I treat people of all ages in my practice—kids, athletes, adults and retirees––and enjoy being able to understand people’s unique situations in order to help them recover.
Sources:
“Workout Injuries: Prevention and Treatment.” WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/workout-injuries-prevention-and-treatment#1
“How to Prevent Injuries During Exercise.” Active.com. https://www.active.com/fitness/articles/how-to-prevent-injuries-during-exercise
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. You should always consult your doctor before making decisions about your health.