Sports Injury Treatment for Skiing and Snowboarding Injuries

When it comes to winter sports, two of the first activities that come to mind are skiing and snowboarding. As popular and fun as these sports are, they can also be quite dangerous and can result in accidents. The injuries caused by these accidents sometimes require months of sports injury treatment sessions.

When the injuries from to skiing or snowboarding are less severe and don't involve severe damage such as a fracture, seeing a chiropractor for treatment can be helpful for patients. Chiropractic treatment, such as whiplash treatment, heals through aligning a patient's muscles and bones properly. Several chiropractors also offer drug-free physical rehabilitation services and pain management techniques that include the use of hot and cold therapies, braces and relaxation therapy, ultrasound treatments, and conditioning and strength exercises.

Here are some common injuries associated with skiing and snowboarding accidents, as well as chiropractic treatment options for each one:

Whiplash

The injury that occurs when your head is abruptly forced in one direction and then snapped into the opposite direction is called whiplash. This is a common occurrence in auto collisions, but it can also happen in skiing and snowboarding. The end result can be torn muscles and ligaments in your neck and even nerve damage.

As whiplash affects individuals differently, chiropractors begin whiplash treatment with an assessment of your injury in order for your personalized healing plan to be created. Then, based on your healing plan, practices such as muscle relaxation and stimulation, appropriate stabilization exercises, spinal manipulation and ergonomic training are utilized for your whiplash treatment. Whiplash treatment includes adjusting the neck, which is done when a chiropractor gently moves the joint toward the stiff area in the neck and shoulders (a relatively pain-free maneuver).

Shoulder Injuries

Dislocated shoulder. When your humerus bone, located at the top of your arm, is pushed or pulled out of the socket in your shoulder blade, you have dislocated your shoulder. A result of this injury is damage to the cartilage or ligaments, as well as inflamed muscles, which lead to a severely limited range of motion and strength in your arm. Visiting a chiropractor is a helpful sports injury treatment for this type of injury. To help relieve the pain and pressure in your shoulder, chiropractic treatment for dislocated shoulder includes manipulating the spine and gentle repositioning of your vertebrae.

Shoulder separation. Usually resulting from falling directly on your shoulder, this injury is caused by damage to the joint that holds your collarbone and shoulder blade together. Using a sling so that holding the weight of your arm is more comfortable is part of the chiropractic treatment. Applying heat or ice packs, ultrasound muscle stimulation, conditioning exercises and gentle spinal and shoulder manipulation are also included in chiropractic sports injury treatment for this type of injury.

Rotator cuff injury. A rotator cuff, which is comprised of four different shoulder muscles that control stability and motion, can be injured by falling with arms outstretched or receiving a direct blow. When skiing or snowboarding, that direct blow can come from a ski, ski pole, tree, or other object. Stretching and strengthening exercises, massage, moist heat and ice, and manipulation of the shoulder and spine are all a part of the chiropractic treatment for an injury to the rotator cuff.

Knee injuries. Very common injuries for skiers and snowboarders occur in their knees. To reduce the pain and inflammation in the knee, chiropractic sports injury treatment will first involve using sports tape or leg braces, cold therapy with ice, and soft tissue healing therapies (with the help of ultrasound, laser, or interferential treatments). Once pain and inflammation are more under control, chiropractic treatment, such as soft tissue massages, mobilization techniques and manipulation of the affected area and surrounding joints, will be implemented. Your chiropractor may even have you partake in leg exercises to help you regain strength and stability later down the line.

For progressive treatments that aim to properly heal your body over time, as well as help regain your strength and prevent a recurring injury, consider turning to chiropractic care for sports injury treatment. For various injuries, including those resulting from skiing or snowboarding accidents, chiropractic treatments that involve complementary or integrative medicine can also work well with sports injury treatment prescribed by your physician.