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What
is a shoulder sprain?
Types of shoulder sprains
How can I prevent a shoulder sprain?
Improving sports performance
Shoulder
sprain rehabilitation for athletes
Types of shoulder sprains
As with many injuries, shoulder sprains are classified according to the
severity of the injury. They are as follows:
- Grade 1
Stretching and microtearing of ligament and capsular tissue.
- Grade 2
Partial tearing of ligament and capsular tissue.
Mild instability of joint.
- Grade 3
Severe or complete tearing of ligament and capsular tissue.
Significant instability of the joint.
How can I prevent
a shoulder sprain?
Although many shoulder sprains cannot be prevented, your chances of a
reoccurrence can be reduced if you return to practice and competition
when all symptoms of the injury are gone and strength has returned to
normal. Furthermore, the rehabilitation exercises should be continued
to ensure protective strength, range of motion, and stability of the injured
area.
Other preventive techniques
include:
- Do exercises to
strengthen arm, back, and chest muscles.
- Learn the proper
technique for exercise and sporting activities. This will decrease stress
on all your muscles, ligaments, and tendons, including those around
your shoulder.
Improving Sports
Performance
The key to improving sports performance after recovering from a shoulder
sprain is a proper rehabilitation
program, and adhering to some of those same principles after the injury
is gone. Refer to the rehabilitation exercises regularly.
Remember the following:
- Do exercises to
strengthen arm, back, and chest muscles.
- Learn the proper
technique for exercise and sporting activities. This will decrease stress
on all your muscles, ligaments, and tendons, including those around
your shoulder.
Also, the single most
important aspect of improving performance is stretching before and after
you step onto the field, court, ice, or golf course.
Benefits derived from stretching include:
- increased physical
efficiency and performance
- decreased risk
of injury
- increased blood
supply and nutrients to joint structures
- increased coordination
- improved muscular
balance and postural awareness
- reduced stress
- enhanced enjoyment
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