Common Root Causes of Injury for Female Athletes
From puberty onward, female athletes face a heightened risk of injury due to a set of physical and chemical issues common to most women. Whether you’re a volleyball player, swimmer, runner, or even a dancer, body chemistry makes you more susceptible to certain injuries. These include the following:
- Osteoporosis
- Miserable Malalignment Syndrome (MMS)
- Menstrual and hormonal irregularities
- Deficient caloric intake
Common Injuries for Female Athletes
Any of the above can heighten your susceptibility to breaks, sprains, and other injuries stemming from poor form and issues with alignment. If you suffer from any of the above, be aware of the possibility for the following injuries and take these steps to avoid them:
- Stress fractures: These are closely related to your diet and can often be prevented by eating properly and including bone-friendly foods and vitamins in your diet. Be sure to include calcium-rich foods, such as collard greens, kale, ricotta cheese, almond or soy milk, and more. (For a more extensive list of calcium-pumped fruits, veggies, and meal options, check out the Guide to Calcium-Rich Foods from the National Osteoporosis Foundation.) You can also end up with a stress fracture by not giving your body enough time to adjust to an increase in weight, intensity, or activity, which is why it’s important that you avoid going too hard too fast and always be sure to warm up before working out.
- Shin splints: Speaking of stress fractures, shin splints are common among women and can be caused by overexertion, bone loss, or muscle weakness due to reduced caloric intake. (Eat up, ladies!) These can also result from misalignment, which can be exacerbated by improper footwear, so it’s important to make sure you have the right gear.
- Upper body injuries: Many women, even those who do not engage in regular athletic activity, suffer from torn rotator cuffs and other arm and shoulder injuries. You can avoid these by gradually increasing strength in your arms and upper body and regularly stretching in order to preserve flexibility and range of motion.
Physical Therapy for Female Athletic Injuries
At ProFysio Physical Therapy, we have helped hundreds of female athletes get on their feet and overcome a variety of injuries. No matter your sport, your injury, or its root cause, our Aberdeen physical therapists are ready to work with you to create a personalized plan suited to your injuries and your health goals. Get in touch with a member of our team and schedule your complimentary evaluation with our experienced Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Book your consultation by sending us a message or calling us at (732) 333-6360 today.