Sports Medicine
A Crucial Period
Good Pain, Bad Pain
On Your Knees
Secondary Injuries
Imaging Technology
What's Sciatica?
The Female Athlete
Putting Your Feet First
Itis Schmitis
Too Much, Too Soon
Under the Influence
Twisted
What's Goin' On?
Think Inches, Not Pounds
Preventing Vaginitis
That Painful Pull
Athlete's Heart
Exercise & Arthritis
Chilled to the Bone
Measuring Body Fat
Exercise and Your Breasts
Choosing a Sports Doctor
Lean on Me (Shoulder)
Exercise & Anemia
Exercise Abuse
Pelvis Sighting
Hand Aid
It's All in the Wrist
Back in Action
Altitude Adjustment
Tennis Elbow, Anyone?
Exercising in the Heat
Agony of the Feet
Restless Legs
Night Time Cramps
Birth Control Concerns
No Periods, No Babies?
Post Partum Prescription
Weight Loss Mystery
Undesirable Cooldown
To Brew Or Not To Brew
Fitness After Baby
Biking and Back Pain
Swimmer's Shoulder
A Hidden Athlete
Avoiding Osteoporosis
Drug Testing
Maximum Heart Rate
Headway Against Headaches
Torn Rotator Cuff
Fat Figures
SOS About PMS
Bloody Urine
Sag Story
Lackluster Leg
Bothersome Bulge
Gaining in Years
Taking It On the Shin
Aching Ankles
Hoop Help
Tender Toes
Meals For Muscle
Growing Pains
Hot Tips
High Altitude PMS
Personal Bests
Air Pollution
Ankle Blues
Heartbreak Heel
Yeast Relief



Secondary Injuries

Continued...

Of course, the best way to avoid sustaining secondary injuries is to prevent primary injuries from occurring in the first place. You can do this by using extra caution and reducing your risk factors.

The next best course of action is to fully recover from the primary injury before resuming the activities that caused it. To recover completely it is helpful to understand the nature of primary injuries and the way the body heals itself.

The Body's Healing Response

There are two types of primary injuries: intrinsic and extrinsic. An intrinsic injury is caused by forces generated within the body. Muscle tears, tendonitis, stress fractures and ligament strains are typical intrinsic injuries.

Intrinsic injuries can be divided further into acute and chronic. An acute intrinsic injury happens spontaneously when you try to do more than your body can handle - a quick sprint, a sharp turn - and suddenly something gives.

A chronic intrinsic injury results from repeated stresses that are not given enough time to heal when they first occur. These injuries, such as stress fractures, tendonitis and patellofemoral knee pain, are more common and aggravating than acute injuries.

An extrinsic injury results when you are subjected to forces outside of the body These injuries, commonly referred to as accidents, can be much more severe. Skiing over a mogul and landing on an exposed tree stump, or being hit with a squash ball moving at high velocity are two examples.

To prevent secondary injuries and chronic injuries from developing, it's important to understand how the body heals. Exercise increases the amount of fluids in the tissues. Usually these fluids dissipate after a short period of rest.

But if the rest period is not long enough for the fluid to be completely reabsorbed, it builds up and remains as swelling and pressure. Stretching and post-exercise ice application help decrease such fluid buildup.

But what happens if the situation is not corrected?

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Table of Contents

Foreword: Billie Jean King

Comments by Barb Harris
Editor in Chief,
Shape Magazine



General Health
Nutrition
Exercise
Common Medical Problems
Dental Health
Emergency!
Infectious Disease
Sexual Health
Emotional Well-Being
Eating Disorders
Alcohol & Other Drugs
Environmental Health
Prevention


The information in this web site is for educational purposes only and is not providing medical or professional advice. It should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. If you have or suspect you might have any health problems, you should consult a physician.


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