Soccer and massage
Sprained ankles
What does a massage therapist and a soccer team have in common?...
Both deal with injured players.
Soccer is a great way to build endurance, improve speed, promote fitness, and enjoy the camaraderie of a team sport; however, there is potential for injury during a game, due to quick start-and-stop motions, pivoting and lateral movements, and physical contact. The 5 most common soccer injuries are sprains, strains, fractures knee injuries, and head injuries.
"Injuries to the ankle and lower leg occur most often," stated Dr. W. O. Roberts, a member of the medical advisory board for the USA Soccer Cup. "Medial collateral ligament (knee) sprains are 2nd most common". A good warm-up and careful stretching may help prevent some sprains.
Symptoms of sprains:
Some or all of the following symptoms are present when one has a sprain:
* pain in the ankle - even when not weight bearing.
* profuse swelling that can last for weeks, * discoloration (bruising),
* inability to move the ankle properly,
Treatment:
Massage treatment:
Immediately upon spraining the ankle a player should think and do PRICE = protection, rest, ice compression, elevation.
During the acute stage of a sprain, it is beneficial for a soccer player to receive
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) to help reduce inflammation. MLD is a form of massage that stimulates the lymphatic system with gentle massaging strokes. The light rhythmical massage encourages the lymphatic system to eliminate metabolic waste products, excess fluid (inflammation) and bacteria.
After the acute stage of a sprain subsides it is beneficial to receive deep tissue massage therapy to the calf muscles to help reduce spasm; and, deep cross fiber friction to help form proper alignment of scar tissue and increase circulation to the area.
Preventative treatment:
Prior injuries make ligaments vulnerable to re-injury - taping the ankle before playing soccer can help prevent further injury.
Exercises: stretching, strengthening, proprioceptive exercises (like using a wobble board) and range of motion exercises (drawing the letters of the alphabet which involves pointing and flexing in the air with the toes), all help to return normal movement to the ankle.
More information about sprains:
Causes of sprains:
Lateral ankle sprains occur when the ankle twists placing the foot under the player, which can happen when being fouled. Ballet dancers and people with pronated feet are also vulnerable to this injury.
Pain on top of the foot near the ankle can occur from a blow to the instep - generally due to contact with another player. It can also occur when falling down a flight of stairs or tripping in a hole.
Pain behind the inner ankle can occur when a traumatic injury occurs such as when two players simultaneously hit the ball with the medial (inner) sides of their feet. Other causes are fatigue from running and jumping or if a person has fallen arches (flat feet).
Types of ankle sprains:
A sprain is an injury that causes a stretch or tear of one or more ligaments in the ankle joint. Their severity determines if they are grade I, II or III.
The most common sprains occur at the lateral side of the ankle at the peroneal tendinitis,( just behind the outer ankle) and anterior and posterior talofibulr and calcaneofibular ligaments (lateral side of the ankle).
Other sprains occur at the cruciate crural ligament, (on top of the foot near the ankle); and posterior tibialis tendinitis, (just behind the inner ankle).
