- ALLERGY, RESPIRATORY
- Keep Asthma, Allergies at Bay for the Holidays
- New Spray Could Benefit Cystic Fibrosis Patients
- Air Pollution May Raise Blood Pressure
- ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
- Green Tea May Help Brain Cope With Sleep Disorders
- Wristbands May Lessen Nausea After Radiation
- Meditation, Yoga Might Switch Off Stress Genes
- BONES & JOINTS
- Resistance Training Boosts Mobility in Knee Arthritis Patients
- Postmenopausal Women With Breast Cancer Face Joint Issues
- Gene Plays Key Role in Clubfoot
- CANCER
- Herb May Counter Liver Damage From Chemo
- Spice Compounds May Stem Tumor Growth
- Massage Therapy Helps Those With Advanced Cancer
- CAREGIVING
- Medication Errors Could Be Cut: Experts
- Transition From Home to Hospital Rarely Seamless
- High Rate of Rehospitalizations Costing Billions
- CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
- Night Shift Work Hard on the Heart
- Health Tip: Are You Anemic?
- Years of Exposure to Traffic Pollution Raises Blood Pressure
- COSMETIC
- Mouse Study Finds Molecule That Tells Hair to Grow
- New Genetic Links to Baldness Discovered
- Health Tip: After Liposuction
- DENTAL, ORAL
- Laser Technology Spots Cavities Before They Start
- Hormones May Be to Blame for Women's Cavity Rates
- Health Tip: At Risk for Gingivitis
- DIABETES
- Fish Twice a Week Cuts Diabetics' Kidney Risks
- Laughter May Lower Heart Attack Risk in Diabetics
- Coffee, Tea Might Stave Off Diabetes
- DIET, NUTRITION
- Trans Fat Labeling Gets Tricky
- Teens Lose More Weight Using Healthy Strategies
- Mercury in Fish Linked to High Blood Pressure
- DISABILITIES
- Review Finds Marijuana May Help MS Patients
- Could Your Cell Phone Help Shield You From Alzheimer's?
- ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
- Genetics, Environment Shape Sexual Behavior
- Pesticides Linked to Parkinson's
- Restaurant Sushi May Have More Mercury Than Store-Bought Fare
- EYE CARE, VISION
- Too Much Sun, Too Few Antioxidants Spell Eye Trouble
- Americans Losing Sight of Eye Health
- Antioxidant-Rich Diet May Protect Against Eye Disease
- FITNESS
- Any Exercise Good After a Heart Attack
- School Phys. Ed. Injuries Up 150 Percent
- Will the Wii Keep You Fit?
- GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS
- Olive Oil May Protect Against Bowel Disease
- Traditional Nonsurgical GERD Treatments Not Impressive
- Gum Chewing May Speed Colon Surgery Recovery
- GENERAL HEALTH
- When Clocks Change, Body May Need Time to Adjust
- Multivitamins Might Prolong Life
- Smog Tougher on the Obese
- HEAD & NECK
- Many Children Will Outgrow Headaches
- Zen May Thicken Brain, Thwart Pain
- Ski Helmets Encouraged for All
- HEALTH & TECHNOLOGY
- 'Comfort Dogs' Come to Emotional Rescue
- The Internet Is Becoming One-Stop Shopping for Health Help
- Study Suggests Link Between Cell Phones and Brain Tumors
- HEART & CARDIOVASCULAR
- Fish Oil Supplements Help With Heart Failure
- Soy Protein Doesn't Lower Cholesterol
- Chinese Red Yeast Rice May Prevent Heart Attack
- INFECTIOUS DISEASE
- Bacterial Infections May Succumb to Honey
- Poor Restroom Cleaning Causes Cruise-Ship Sickness
- Swine Flu Now Reported in All 50 States
- KID'S HEALTH
- Gene Variation Found in Boys With Delinquent Peers
- School Phys. Ed. Injuries Up 150 Percent
- Folic Acid Reduces Infant Heart Defects
- MEN'S HEALTH
- Physical Activity May Prolong Survival After Colon Cancer
- Exercise May Prevent Prostate Cancer: Study Shows
- Low Iron Levels Cut Cancer Risk in Men With PAD
- MENTAL HEALTH
- Drink Away Dementia?
- Estrogen May Help Men's Hearts
- Have a Goal in Life? You Might Live Longer
- PREGNANCY
- Acupuncture May Relieve Acid Indigestation In Pregnancy
- Pregnant Women Exposed To Certain Pollutants Could Lower Childs IQ
- Exercise As Well As Acupuncture, May Ease Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
- SENIORS
- Laughter Can Stimulate a Dull Appetite
- Community Exercise Programs Boost Seniors' Strength
- Many Cancer Survivors Don't Adopt Healthy Lifestyle
A Winning Strategy to Beat Spring Sporting Injuries
By eHolistic.com Published: 04/12/2009
SUNDAY, April 12 (HealthDay News) -- Spring beckons us outside for fun and exercise and that tends to lead to more calls to doctors about foot injuries, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).
"With warm weather approaching, many athletes are busy gearing up for another competitive season in their sport. Unfortunately, training in improper footwear and neglecting to stretch properly before and after activity greatly increases serious occurrences of foot and ankle injury," Ross Taubman, past APMA president, said in a news release issued by his organization.
The most common way to deal with minor muscle strains or sprains is the RICE method of rest, ice, compression and elevation; however, if the injury fails to improve over a few days, one should visit a doctor, according to the association.
According to the APMA, these are the four most common springtime sporting injuries to the foot and their treatments:
* Ligament sprains and bone fractures: Sprains require simple immobilization, such as wraps, for a period, while more severe sprain may later require therapy to rebuild the muscle's strength. Fractures require more stringent immobilization, such as a cast, and could take up to 10 weeks to heal.
* Plantar fasciitis: This type of heel pain in a fibrous plantar fascia band of tissue may require orthotics (custom-made shoe inserts) to ease discomfort. The injury is common in baseball and softball players, and the Ringor company recently developed cleats approved of by the APMA to help reduce the incidence of this injury and others to the foot's bone and muscles.
* Shin splints: Poor shock absorption or excessive foot flattening caused by footwear often can cause this swelling of the muscles connected to the shin. Stretching and strengthening can help people avoid this injury, but once it does occur, immediate use of a cold compress can reduce inflammation.
* Achilles tendinitis: Pain and stiffness in the calf and swelling of the Achilles tendon can result from excessive stop-and-start motion. To prevent and treat, stretch the calf muscles slowly before and after an activity.
More information
The American Podiatric Medical Association has more about foot injuries.
-- Kevin McKeever
SOURCE: American Podiatric Medical Association, news release, March 18, 2009
Last Updated: April 12, 2009
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