Four Tips For Injury Prevention

Take the time for proper stretching and warm up before any strenuous or high intensity activity, including your regular workouts.

Many injuries are preventable with a little effort, stated Keith P. Johnson, MD, of OASIS Orthopedic and Spine Integrated Services, who specializes in sports medicine and post-traumatic joint and soft tissue injuries, with a focus on arthroscopic, minimally-invasive surgical treatments of injuries to the major joints.
He shares four points that can help you prevent an injury or recurrence of an injury:

Start a new workout routine slow and easy — If you’ve been fairly sedentary or work out infrequently, don’t over exert and try to become fit overnight. Start with an easy work out and gradually add to it as your body grows stronger and more fit.

Stretch and warm up — This is as important for athletes as non-athletes – take the time for proper stretching and warm up before any strenuous or high intensity activity, including your regular workouts.

Be alert for muscle fatigue — Injuries often occur when people struggle to control their bodies or weights with fatigued muscles; for example trying for one more heavy rep or skiing one last run when their muscles are too tired.

Work on balance and coordination — Falls and injuries are common among people with poor balance or coordination and this becomes more pronounced as we age. We regularly talk with older people about this and recommend it become part of their therapy treatment for injury prevention.