Now that winter has arrived, many people will begin their journey to the slopes to get their skiing fix. While this is a great way to enjoy yourself while remaining outdoors, you must remember that even the most experienced skiers can suffer devastating injuries. At Free Body Physical Therapy, we don’t want to see that happen to you. That is why our expert staff would like to pass along some injury prevention methods you can utilize to stay on the ski lift and out of the doctor’s office.
Common Skiing Injuries
Before diving into prevention methods, our team will first discuss the common skiing injuries a person can face. Knowing what they are can better inform the process of preventing them. It may also help you understand when visiting a medical facility for treatment is necessary. Some of the most common skiing injuries may include the below:
- Head injuries.
- Foot, ankle, and sprains.
- Wrist fractures.
- Broken legs.
- Shoulder dislocations.
Training Year-Round
The first and potentially most effective prevention method our team would like to discuss is training for the slopes year-round. Novice skiers might assume that this isn’t necessary since you’re letting gravity do the task for you. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth. It takes both strength and endurance to stay upright when skiing down the mountain. Training all year is the easiest way to ensure that when winter comes, your body is ready for the task.
Warm-Up
As previously stated, skiing can be a taxing activity on your body. If you try to start this or any other activity before your body is ready, it’s the perfect way to get injured. That is why our team highly recommends going through a warm-up period before heading for the mountain. By spending three to five minutes performing a mixture of the below, you increase the chances of remaining injury-free:
- Static stretches.
- Jumping jacks.
- Jogging and running.
- Body squats.
- Dynamic stretches.
Drink Plenty Of Water
Those who regularly perform activities outdoors during the winter can attest to the fact that it’s harder to tell when you should be drinking water this time of year than it is in the summer. Due to the cold temperatures, your body may not have feelings of thirst as it does when it is hot out. However, you should know that whenever you’re active, fluids are draining from your body. If you aren’t drinking enough water, you can become dehydrated while skiing, which is a nightmare health scenario. Failing to replenish the liquids in your body leads to an increased likelihood of the below:
- Muscle cramps.
- Feelings of dizziness or nausea.
- Lightheadedness.
- Fainting.
Check Over Your Equipment
The best skiers are only as good as the equipment they are using. If even just one piece is faulty, it can have catastrophic effects on your latest run down the mountain. To stay healthy, our team highly recommends checking over all of your equipment before starting your day. Checking your equipment can include:
- Ensuring you have enough layers to keep you warm.
- Studying the binding of each of your skis.
- Trying on your protective helmet, goggles, and gloves to make sure they fit correctly.
- If you rent ski boots, ask if they meet the American Society of Testing Materials standards.
Schedule An Appointment
At Free Body Physical Therapy, we know how exciting this time of year can be for a lot of people. While we don’t want to drag down your good time, our team does want you to understand that safety measures need to be taken when you plan on skiing. By taking the advice we have laid out, you vastly improve the chances of getting through your ski trip without issue. However, should an injury still occur, we’ll be able to help. To schedule an appointment for treatment with our expert staff of physical therapists, contact us today!