How To Avoid Soft Tissues Injuries

By Zubair Naseem

13 October 2022

 

Due to not being able to go to the gym or putting on a few pounds due to the Covid pandemic, people have started picking up new sports, hobbies, or activities in the last couple of years. With this in mind, we’ve noticed an increase in soft tissue injuries coming through our clinic doors. People are engaging in more outdoor activities as a result of our unusually hot summer. Injuries frequently occur when people abruptly increase their activities’ duration, intensity, or frequency. With proper conditioning and training, many soft-tissue injuries can be avoided.

 

 

What Is A Soft Tissue Injury?

The causes of soft tissue injuries can be divided into two categories:

  1. When an activity is repeated frequently, overuse injuries develop gradually over time. Factory workers, for example, are prone to this type of injury due to repetitive movements such as daily lifting. Soft tissue injuries include bursitis and tendinitis.
  2. Acute injuries are caused by sudden traumas to a specific body part, such as twists, blows, or falls. Strains, sprains, and contusions are examples of acute injuries.

 

Sprains, strains, and contusions, as well as tendinitis and bursitis, are examples of soft-tissue injuries. The most commonly injured soft tissues are muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These injuries are most common in sports and exercise, but they can also occur in everyday activities. Even with proper care, these injuries can take a long time to heal.

 

Cause

There are two types of soft-tissue injuries: acute injuries and overuse injuries.

  • Acute injuries are caused by a sudden trauma to the body, such as a fall, twist, or blow. Sprains, strains, and contusions are some examples.
  • When an athletic or other activity is repeated so frequently that areas of the body do not have enough time to heal between occurrences, overuse injuries develop gradually over time. Soft-tissue overuse injuries such as tendinitis and bursitis are common.

 

Prevention

Injuries frequently occur when people abruptly increase their activities’ duration, intensity, or frequency. With proper conditioning and training, many soft-tissue injuries can be avoided. There are best times you can exercise to avoid these injuries if you do not already know. Other preventative measures include:

 

  1. Reducing Awkward Body Movements

Work should be placed within easy reach and at the proper height to avoid awkward twisting and reaching. Adjustable workstations and tables can assist in tailoring the work environment to the employee’s height.

 

  1. Reducing Heavy Lifting

Employers can reduce the risk of employees overexerting themselves by lifting too-heavy objects by using manual tools such as lifts, carts, or rollers, as well as teaching employees proper lifting techniques to avoid injuries.

 

  1. Reducing Repetitive Movements

Employers can reduce the risk of worker injuries caused by repetitive motions by designing work areas to reduce repetitive motions and having workers change tasks frequently.

 

  1. Providing Rest Breaks

Employers should allow workers to take rest breaks after performing tasks that put them at risk of developing soft tissue injuries because worker fatigue increases the likelihood that their bodies will not be able to recover from the strain placed on their musculoskeletal systems.

 

  1. Training Workers To Recognize The Warning Signs

If left untreated, many soft tissue injuries can worsen over time. Workers who are trained to recognize the warning signs of a soft tissue injury and seek medical attention as soon as possible may be able to reduce the severity of the injury.

 

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