Dr. Hayden Cohen
As a follow on from our previous article on keeping mobile and ready for the cricket season, here is a brief overview of three of the most common cricketing injuries.
There are many different exercises and ways to manage each of these areas and muscle groups. Here are some commonly stressed regions, some basics of management and the areas to work on next time you hit the gym or cricket training.
3 Main areas for Cricket injuries:
Rotator cuff injuries:
Bowling/throwing are the main culprits for shoulder injury here. Anything that creates a forward shoulder posture is a common instigator. It leads to pinching of the rotator cuff and thus tears from friction or occasionally bursitis:(inflammation of a fluid sac that acts as a lubrication for tendons of the rotator cuff).
To prevent this, avoid having tight/short pectoral, chest and abdominal muscles. Keeping serratus anterior, rhomboids and external rotators toned/strong is also very important.
Elbow injuries:
Lots of bowling/throwing can also lead to strains to the forearm muscles and jarring to the elbow joint. With the repeated bowling or throwing motion, fatigue builds up and muscle tears as a result. These tears can lead to a loss in power in your bowl or throw.
Keep the muscle supple using a massage ball on your off days, as well as lots of forearm, wrist and elbow stretches.
Nerve pathways assist in the flexibility of the nerves in your arm. Nerve flossing exercises can free up these nerve pathways which allows for better nerve conduction and thus strength.
Hamstring/calf tears :
This one is typically known as an “old mans” injury. However, with the advent of boutique beers and game day sausage rolls, it may affect any age. The biggest thing to avoid is getting cold in the muscle.
You know the drill by now: Keep moving on the day, it’s key! Avoid those long static stretches before the game or during training. Instead, stick to dynamic stretching to keep your muscles warm.
Eccentric muscle training: loading up the muscle whilst its lengthening.
This can be a good way to keep up muscle tone as well as length, preventing shortening.
How Can we help?
Our range of Magneaseium bath flakes and gels in the clinic.
Magnesium gels can also be helpful in the case of muscle fatigue to assist replenishment and recovery. We stock Magnesium gels in the clinic. If you’d like to try or buy some, swing by the clinic and we can help you out.
If you need some extra guidance on how to avoid these injuries, feel free to book in for a consultation here at Quay Osteo. We can discuss prevention strategies and exercise regimes as well as provide osteopathic treatment and rehabilitation for those little niggles that crop up throughout the season.
Remember, like a car, an occasional oil and filter change can make a big difference in keeping those wheels rolling smoothly!
Would you like to book an appointment with Hayden?
Feel free to give us a call or send us an email.
PH: 5215 1106
E: Health@quayosteo.com.au