What You Can Do to Prevent Basketball Injuries

Basketball is a popular sport for both children and adults. It’s a great way to have fun while getting exercise. To learn about teamwork and sportsmanship. To show off your physical skills.

Unfortunately, it can also be a way to get injured. In this post we’ll talk about the best ways to prevent basketball injuries, including how a chiropractor can help you keep your body in the best possible shape so that they are less likely to occur.

Tips for Preventing Basketball Injuries

Here are the best things you can do to stop basketball injuries before they start.

Get in Shape First

Don’t start playing basketball until you’ve participated in a fitness program. Several weeks of walking, jogging, and strength training will help you prevent injuries once you begin playing. If you push too hard too fast, you run the risk of developing stress fractures.

Take Seasonal Breaks

Playing year-round can lead to injuries, especially in growing children. Make sure to take breaks between seasons and don’t play on more than one team at a time.

Wear Protective Gear

A mouth guard is essential for protecting your teeth. Don’t forget ankle braces, either. If you wear glasses, switch to safety glasses while you play.

Wear the Right Footwear

Wear high tops to protect your ankles and Achilles. They should be non-skid to help you grip the floor, and you should also make sure the floor is dry and clean before you play.

Warm Up Beforehand

Stretching and doing light exercise before practice or games can protect your muscles from injury. Cold muscles are more likely to be injured, so warm ups are essential.

Stay Hydrated

Playing basketball while you are dehydrated can increase your level of mistakes, which can lead to injury. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after practices and games to stay hydrated.

Practice Good Technique

Follow your coach’s instructions and play your position with intention. Good sportsmanship will reduce the chance of injury.

Prepare for Emergencies

Always have a first-aid kit nearby in case an injury occurs. Make sure your phone is charged in case you need to call for help.

Rest Between Games

Fatigue is one of the most common reasons for injuries. You must have adequate rest between games and practices to protect yourself from getting hurt.

Follow Doctor’s Orders

If you are recovering from an injury, don’t return to play until you are cleared by your doctor. Doing so too soon could prolong your injury or result in a new one.

Common Basketball Injuries

Basketball is known to cause over 1.6 million injuries in the U.S. every year. Here are the most common types of injuries you may experience.

Ankle Sprains

If your ankle turns inward when you land on another player or the court, you will likely experience a painful strain. You may also have bruising and swelling, and you could feel unstable on your ankle until the sprain heals.

Knee Sprains

Twists, turns, and sudden stops can cause knee sprains. They may or may not be contact injuries. Pain and swelling can result. You may not be able to put weight on your knee.

Finger Jams

A jammed finger is a common basketball injury. You can prevent it by taping fingers together, and you can treat it by soaking a sore finger in cold water after the injury.

Muscle Strains or Bruises

Collisions with other players or simply landing hard on the court can injure your muscles. Other muscle injuries may result from overuse or hyperextension. A strained muscle can feel painful and cause loss of range of motion.

Head Wounds

Bruises and gashes to the face are common when you collide with another player. You may need stitches to fix a severe wound, or simply bandages for a less severe wound.

Another type of head injury is a concussion, which occurs when the brain bangs back and forth inside your skull. Concussions can have serious and long-term health effects. If you are experiencing dizziness, headaches, blurred or double vision, memory problems, nausea, fatigue, or sensitivity to light and sound, you need to be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible.

Treatment for Basketball Injuries

The best at-home treatment for minor basketball injuries is the R.I.C.E. method. It stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Put all these methods into practice to reduce inflammation and promote healing.

To recover more quickly from basketball injuries, consider chiropractic treatments. We offer specific therapies for sports injuries, including the following:

• Sports massages
• Kinesio taping
• Physical therapy
• Ultrasound
• Electrostimulation therapy
• Spinal adjustments

We can form a custom treatment and prevention plan to keep your body healthy and strong. Call us today to discuss the chiropractic treatments that are best for you.

About the Author: 

Dr. Singer has been a practicing chiropractor for more than 20 years, and USA Health & Therapy has been around since 2004. Over the course of his career, Singer has helped tens of thousands of people with all kinds of issues by using a wide variety of treatment strategies. He has extensive knowledge of chiropractic modalities, including Gonstead, Diversified, Thompson Drop Table, and Activator, and in 1997 he earned a special adjunctive Chiropractic Certification in Spinal Trauma (CCST) to better provide care for car crash victims. Dr. Singer is licensed to practice chiropractic medicine in both Florida and New York.