AYURVEDIC TREATMENTS FOR SPORTS INJURY IN KERALA
Sports injuries are of two types – due to sudden impact or due to wear and tear over time. Instead of opting for invasive or surgical treatments, ayurveda provides non-invasive forms of holistic treatments where you can see the positive effects of treatment within a week. For those on the lookout for ayurvedic sports injury treatment in Kerala, the Sanjeevanam Ayurveda Hospital offers some of the best sports injury treatments in Cochin.
WHAT IS SPORTS INJURY
The “sports injury” refers to the types of injuries that most commonly occur during sports or exercise, but are not limited to athletes. Even if they don’t play sports, factory workers get tennis elbow, painters get shoulder injuries, and gardeners get tendinitis.
Types
Acute and chronic injuries are the two broad categories of sports injuries. Acute injuries occur suddenly, such as when a person falls, receives a blow, or twists a joint, whereas chronic injuries occur gradually over time due to overuse of one area of the body. Sprains and dislocations are examples of acute injuries, while shin splints and stress fractures are examples of chronic injuries.
Sports medicine
Sports injuries are treated differently depending on the type. Still, minor ones can usually be treated at home by resting, icing, compressing, and elevating (R-I-C-E) the injured part of the body. You will need to see a healthcare provider for more serious injuries, and you may need to be set up for a course of physical therapy for rehabilitation and/or fitted for a cast, splint, or brace. In some cases, surgery may be required. Before returning to the sport or activity that caused the injury, a rehabilitation program that includes exercise and other types of therapy is usually recommended.
WHO SUSTAINS SPORTS INJURIES?
A sports injury can happen to anyone, but there are several factors that can increase your chances of getting hurt.
The following are risk factors for sports injuries:
Failure to use proper exercise techniques.
Overtraining, which occurs when you train too frequently, or for too long.
Rapidly changing the intensity of physical activity.
Participating in the same sport all year.
Run or jump on hard surfaces.
Wearing shoes with insufficient support.
Failure to wear proper protective equipment.
Having previously been injured.
Having anatomical features unique to each joint or a lack of flexibility.
Musculoskeletal Injuries
Athletes are prone to musculoskeletal injuries such as fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains, tendinitis, and bursitis. These terms are defined further below.
A fractured bone.
A fracture is a break in the bone caused by either a single, sudden injury, known as an acute fracture, or repeated stress, known as a stress fracture. Growth plate fractures are specific to growing children.
Dislocation.
When the two bones that make up a joint become separated, the joint is said to be dislocated. Most dislocations are caused by contact sports such as football and basketball, as well as high-impact sports and sports that require significant stretching or falling. A dislocated joint usually necessitates immediate medical attention, but the bones can sometimes re-align independently. Dislocations are painful injuries that most commonly occur in the shoulders, elbows, fingers, kneecap, and femur-tibia or knee.
Sprain.
Sprains are stretches or tears in ligaments, which are bands of connective tissue that connect the ends of bones. Sprains are caused by trauma, such as a fall or a blow that causes a joint to move out of place. Sprains can range from first to third degree (minimally stretched ligament)
Strain.
A strain is a twist, pull, or tear in a muscle or tendon, which is a tissue cord that connects muscle to bone. Strains can occur in athletes who participate in contact sports, but they can also occur when performing the same motion repeatedly, as in tennis or golf. Strains, like sprains, can range from a minor stretch to a complete or partial tear of a muscle or tendon. This is most common between two joints in muscles or tendons. Wrists are the body parts most prone to sprains.
Tendinitis.
Tendinitis is an inflammation of a tendon, which is a fibrous band of tissue that connects muscles to bones. The shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, or ankle are frequently affected. Tendinitis can be caused by a sudden injury, but it is more commonly caused by repeating the same motion. Carpenters, gardeners, musicians, and certain athletes, such as golfers and tennis players, are more likely to develop tendinitis. Tendons become less flexible as you age, increasing your chances of developing tendinitis.
Bursitis.
Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursae (plural of “bursa”), which are small, fluid-filled sacs that serve as cushions between a bone and other moving parts like muscles, tendons, or skin. Bursitis can be caused by a single event, such as a blow or a fall. It can also be caused by repeatedly performing the same motion, such as throwing a ball, or by applying prolonged pressure, such as kneeling on a hard surface or leaning on the elbows. It most commonly affects the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees.
COMMON SPORTS INJURIES
Shoulder Injuries
Rotator cuff strain
These are the most commonly encountered shoulder injuries. The rotator cuff is a collection of four muscles and tendons that work together to stabilize the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff injuries occur when the tendons or bursae surrounding the joint become inflamed as a result of overuse or a sudden injury. They are common in people who work with overhead motions, such as painters, or in athletes who reach upward repeatedly, such as tennis players and swimmers.
Impingement
When the arm is lifted, the top of the shoulder blade presses on the soft tissues beneath it. Tendinitis and bursitis can develop, causing pain and limiting movement. Swimmers’ overhead movements, for example, increase the risk of impingement.
Instability
Shoulder instability occurs when the round end of the upper arm bone is forced partially or completely out of its shallow socket. When the shoulder’s tendons, ligaments, and muscles become stretched or torn, the shoulder becomes “loose,” and dislocations can occur repeatedly.
Elbow Injuries
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
Tennis or other racket sports can cause small tears and inflammation of the tendons in the elbow, resulting in pain on the outside of the elbow. Painters, plumbers, carpenters, and others who repeatedly use their forearms are also more likely to develop tennis elbow.
Golfers’ elbow (medial epicondylitis):
This is a type of tendinitis that causes pain inside the elbow. The pain may radiate to the forearm and wrist. Golfers and others who clench their fingers or use their wrists repeatedly can develop it.
Little league elbow
This is an elbow growth plate injury caused by repetitive throwing in children. It is most common in pitchers, but it can affect any young athlete who throws frequently. The pain is located on the inside of the elbow.
Ulnar collateral ligament injury
Throwing can cause tears in this ligament on the inside of the elbow, resulting in pain and decreased throwing effectiveness.
Knee Injuries
The runner’s knee
This condition, also known as jumper’s knee or patellofemoral pain syndrome, causes pain or tenderness near or under the kneecap (patella) at the front of the knee. It is common in runners, but it also affects people who are physically active in other ways, such as hikers and cyclists.
Fracture
Fractures can occur in any bone around the knee, but the most common is the kneecap (patella), which occurs as a result of an event such as a bad fall or a blow to the knee.
Dislocation
A large impact to the knee can force the kneecap out of its groove in the thigh bone (femur) and push it out of alignment, causing the kneecap to slip out of place.
Torn ligament
The ligaments within the knee can tear if it is overextended or twisted. ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries are particularly common in athletes. They frequently occur when a person abruptly changes direction or lands from a jump.
Meniscal tear
In the knee, meniscal cartilage acts as a shock absorber. A tear can be caused by an awkward twist or pivot. They are frequently torn when the knee ligaments are sprained or completely torn.
Tendon tear
Tendon tears are more common in middle-aged people who participate in sports that require running and jumping. They frequently occur as a result of a hard landing or an awkward jump.
Leg Injuries
Groin pull
Quick side-to-side motions can strain the inner thigh muscles and result in a groyne pull. Groin pulls are more common in athletes who participate in sports such as hockey, soccer, football, and baseball.
Hamstring strain
The hamstring is made up of three muscles that run along the back of the thigh. Activities that require a lot of running, jumping, and sudden starts and stops put your hamstrings at risk. Basketball, football, and soccer players are frequently affected.
Ankle Injuries
Ankle sprain
When you roll, twist, or turn your ankle in an awkward way, you can sprain it, stretching or tearing the ligaments in the joint. When you land awkwardly when jumping or pivoting, when walking on an uneven surface, or when someone else lands on your foot, this can happen. People who participate in pivoting sports, such as volleyball and basketball, are at risk of an ankle sprain.
Achilles tendinitis
An Achilles tendon injury occurs when the tendon that connects the calf muscle to the back of the heel is stretched, torn, or irritated. The Achilles tendon is the largest in the body and is used when walking, running, climbing stairs, jumping, and standing on the tips of your toes. Achilles tendinitis causes pain and stiffness in the back of the heel, especially in the morning. Achilles tendinitis is typically a chronic condition caused by overuse, but severe cases can result in a tear that necessitates surgery.
SYMPTOMS OF SPORTS INJURIES
SYMPTOMS OF SPORTS INJURIES
Acute
• Severe pain that comes on suddenly.
• Severe bruising or swelling.
• Inability to put weight on a leg, knee, ankle, or foot.
• Inability to move a joint normally.
• Severe weakness in an injured limb.
• A visible misalignment of a bone or joint.
Chronic
• Pain while playing or exercising.
• Swelling and a dull ache when lying down.
SPORTS MEDICINE IN AYURVEDA
Sports medicine is one of the emerging concepts of Ayurveda which deals with the maintenance of the good physical and mental status of sports persons. Sports persons are susceptible towards some common physical injuries such as; muscle cramps, shin splints, anterior cruciate ligament, ankle sprain, shock and fracture. Sports medicine along with Raktamokashana, Agnikarma and physiotherapy /Marma play vital roles in the management of such conditions.
According to Acharya, Common Sports Injury as per Ayurveda are
Asthibhagna
Asthitoda
Dwijaprapatana
Sadana
Srama
Bhagna
Mamsagatvata
Sandhimukta
Snayugatvat
The specific Ayurveda treatment modalities and formulations exerted selective effect in sports injury as follows
Good result in management of pain
Promote marked tissue healing process
Pain relief
Restore normal function and activities
Improvement in restricted movements at the affected joints
Ayurveda also recommended some internal and external medicine, in addition to yoga, depending on the stage of sports injury. Very effective in back pain and in muscular pain. Abhyanga is a popular massage therapy that not only promotes health but also prevents and treats sports injuries. It nourishes the body, improves vision, shines, and provides the desired physique. Massage with various oils; Udavartana and Udgharshana pacify vitiated Kapha, aid in fat dissolution, and build a strong body. These massages help to strengthen the calf and thigh muscles.
RECENT ADVANCEMENTS IN AYURVEDA
Shalya tantra is the branch of Ayurveda which deals with surgery, ortho and sports medicine. It proposed various medicines for the management of good physical and mental status, which is essential for a sportsperson. These internal medications also provide relief from injuries, oedema, stiffness, pain, and muscle strain. Various procedures also can help with a variety of sports injuries, including heel pain, tendinitis, tenosynovitis, groyne injury, supraspinatus tendinitis, ligament strain, and minor fractures.
Ayurvedic medicine, which acts as sports medicine, can help with performance enhancement and physical fitness. Ayurvedic approaches can be effectively incorporated into sports from start to finish. Ayurveda’s various concepts suggested healthy living rules, which are critical for athletes.
Exercises and Yoga, as well as Agnikarma, Raktmokshana, and Ayurvedic medicine, heal injury and build a strong physique.
Best Ayurvedic Sports Injury Rehabilitation in Kerala
Engaging in sports is an integral part of living for many people. And when injuries arise on the person, the body responds by going immediately into protective mode, leading to immobility and inflammatory responses. Injuries could include issues like ligament and tendon tears, muscle sprains and strains, dislocated joints, broken bones, etc. Sports injuries can be due to direct impact, overload on a joint or overuse. Although joints are more vulnerable to sports injuries, any part of the body can get injured during sporting activities.
There are top-class Ayurvedic treatment centres for sports injuries in Cochin, Kerala. Ayurvedic management helps alleviate pain, decrease disability and holistically strengthen the joints. Ayurvedic treatments for sports injuries in Kerala include lepas, upanaha and massages with medicated oils, njavara kizhi, elakizhi, etc. Some of the best ayurveda hospitals in Kerala manage sports injuries with specific types of bandages or bandhanas as mentioned in the ancient ayurveda texts. Sports injury therapy in Kochi for internal treatments includes the use of Sushrutha and Ashtanga hridaya; they are very effective for soft tissue injuries and their effect can be seen within a week.
Sanjeevanam Ayurveda Hospital is the best Ayurvedic treatment centre for sports injuries in Cochin. It offers a resort-like ambiance with multiple fully-furnished rooms with a host of entertainment facilities available too. There are 17 treatment rooms manned by highly experienced staff and physicians in numerous disciples, along with an in-house pharmacy. Sanjeevanam offers the best ayurvedic treatments for sports injuries in Kerala.
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