Cricket Injuries are, unsurprisingly, quite common. The Cricket World Cup is finally in full flow. And many of you will be digging out your whites.

A rock hard ball can inevitably lead to many an acute injury. These tend to be impact injuries such as broken fingers. But what often leaves our clients stumped are soft tissue problems they encounter.

Cricket creates unique demands on the body. We take a closer look at injury management.

Common Cricket Injuries

The most common cricketing injuries

• The type of injury you are likely to encounter is affected by your role in the team. Bowlers are prone to knee, lower back and ankle problems. And the front leg is particularly vulnerable as it undergoes large stresses in the delivery stride.
• The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is the most prevalent problem area in the knee. It can be susceptible to strains or even complete tear. It can be a troublesome injury that can keep you out of the game for extended periods of time.
• For bowlers, the ankle is often strained if it becomes unstable in the delivery stride. Fast bowlers, in particular, are often plagued by Spondylolysis (pars fractures). These occur typically in the lumbar region of the back.
• A poor throwing action often causes shoulder issues when fielding. Invariably, the problem will be posterosuperior shoulder pain. But other issues when fielding are related to twisting and turning.  So the hips, ankles and knees are all at risk.
• The poor old batsman is most likely to suffer impact injuries. But hamstring problems from running quick singles are another common complaint.

Managing Injury Risk

Accidents do happen. And, of course, injuries can’t be eliminated completely. But there are steps that can be taken to reduce risk in each aspect of the game.

• Learn about appropriate flexibility. There is a time for different types of stretches. Generally speaking, a sequence of dynamic stretching is the best pre-game. More static stretching can be used post-match or between games.
• Find ways to condition your core. Good conditioning of the trunk muscles is crucial for bowlers. But it can also play a role for batsman and fielders, too. Many professionals turn to the likes of Yoga or Pilates for help with this. And these types of classes don’t have the stigma in the sport that they once did.
• Get a muscle balance assessment. Flexibility alone is not enough. Neither is strength conditioning. Of particular importance is muscle balance. The ratio of strength between antagonist muscle groups can be a key factor in joint integrity. For example, having a health hamstring to quadriceps ratio can help you guard against hamstring and knee problems.
• Invest in a regular massage. It can help in so many ways. It will reduce muscle soreness and aid mobility, And in addition, will help improve performance both at a physical and psychological level.

A final word

We can help with your physical conditioning, and avoid common cricket injuries. We hope this information is useful for you. If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. We are always happy to help. If you like this blog, please share!

The post Common Cricket Injuries | The best ways to avoid them appeared first on Perea Clinic.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) has a nasty habit of creeping up on you very slowly. It often takes people by surprise and can not only be very frustrating, but in some cases, quite devastating.

But what is it? In this blog you will find what it is and how massage can help you to get rid of symptoms. Let´s start…

How is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Caused?

It is caused by the compression of the median nerve. The median nerve is partially responsible for controlling the sensations and movement in your hands.

The median nerve and several tendons run from your forearm to your hand through a small space in your wrist called the carpal tunnel (hence the name!).

The compression of the nerve comes from a cumulative effect of seemingly insignificant stresses that accumulate over time. At some point, often very suddenly, they cause intense nerve reactions. 

Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome the same as Repetitive Stress Injury?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is an injury that can result from Repetitive Stress Injuries(RSI). Loosely speaking, RSI is the cause of the problem and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the effect.

The first signs that you have it when you get tingling, and sometimes numbness, in the hands and fingers. Sometimes it comes on more quickly and you start to feel pain straight away.

At other times it will manifest as dull ache in your forearm or hand, or an unpleasant feeling of pins and needles.

What should you do if you feel Carpal Tunnel Syndrome coming on?

The first advice is don’t ignore it. Don’t treat it as just an inconvenience. Even if the symptoms feel relatively mild, you must be aware that it can escalate very quickly. The sooner you start remedying it the better.

Stop the activities that are exacerbating it. Typically this will be either excessive typing or use of your worktop mouse. It is possible to use your non-dominant hand to control your mouse – it’s tricky at first – but you will get used to it sooner than you think. This will give your dominant hand a much needed rest.

As always, ice the inflamed area. If the symptoms are quite strong, consider icing your wrist for 10 to 15 minutes 1 or 2 times an hour. Also consider taking anti-inflammatories to relieve the pain and swelling.

Think about wearing a splint for your wrist at night. This may help  to take pressure off your median nerve. And of course, seek further medical advice if necessary.

Can massage help?

Yes of course. Massage helps by promoting circulation, relieving inflammation, helping to remove metabolic residues, and soothing the irritated muscles and tendons. It may not offer a complete cure, but it can be instrumental in the recovery process.

In addition to massage you should learn some basic stretches and also be sure to learn some relevant strengthening exercises.

…. And once your recovery is under way be sure to understand good posture and the correct techniques for using a mouse and keyboard, to prevent any further damage in the future.

We hope this information is useful for you. If you have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Islington and Mill Hill Broadway. If you like this blog, please share!

We are always happy to help.

The post How to Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome appeared first on Perea Clinic.