Whether you are an alpine, telemark or cross-country skier, a novice or an expert, injury prevention is something that can never be understated. Downhill or alpine skiing probably has the most notorious reputation for injuries. I know that if skiing is your passion, then nothing is going to stop you from hitting the slopes. A visit to Everest Therapeutics can help you maximize your enjoyment of skiing. Let me tell you how.

Most Common Skiing Injuries

The most common injury to an alpine skier is a knee sprain to the anterior cruciate ligament. How will you know you have a knee sprain? There will be pain and swelling and quite possibly the feeling of instability in the joint.

When the anterior cruciate ligament is injured, it is typically the result of twisting the knee or through direct impact to the side of the knee. If you have had a previous knee injury, you are more likely to re-injure yourself. Once your anterior cruciate ligament becomes lax, you are more likely to keep re-injuring your knee, so prevention is crucial if you are going to continue enjoying your sport. Other common injuries include thumb sprains, a variety of shoulder injuries, and back pain.

Preventing Skiing Injuries

There are some simple ways to reduce your chances of injury from skiing:

1. Exercise regularly during the ski season, utilizing strengthening and stretching exercises, and consult with your RMT to target specific muscle groups;

2. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids while skiing;

3. Do some warm-up exercises before skiing and make sure to stretch after;

4. Visit a Registered Massage Therapist at Everest Therapeutics in Vancouver.

Benefits of Massage Therapy for the Skier

Massage therapy is one of the most effective therapies for releasing muscle tension and restoring balance to the musculoskeletal system. For a skier, one of the main benefits of massage is to alleviate the stress and tension, which builds up in the body's soft tissues during strenuous physical activity.

Injury Prevention

Regular massage therapy visits can really help prevent injury. Massage therapy will reduce your chance of injury by releasing any muscle tension, improving your range of motion and flexibility, shorten your recovery time between ski outings, improve overall circulation, and help eliminate the build-up of lactic acid in the muscles.

Treatment of Injuries

Registered Massage Therapists (RMT) at Everest Therapeutics are trained in the assessment and treatment of the soft tissues of the body. If you have injured yourself, an RMT can relax and stretch your muscles, which will inhibit muscle spasms; increase the range-of-motion of your joints; and help prevent and break down scar tissue formation.

A therapist at Everest Therapeutics can also provide you with home care advice on the proper use of ice or heat; can show you how to safely perform range-of-motion exercises; can teach you about proper body mechanics and postural awareness; can demonstrate proper stretching; and help you prevent further injury. Your RMT will help you maximize your enjoyment of skiing by helping you stay healthy and free of injury.

 
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