Stay active, stay safe: Avoiding springtime injuries

Spring has arrived, and with it comes the urge to become more active. Whether you're hiking, jogging, playing a sport, gardening or simply taking a stroll, springtime makes us feel rejuvenated and excited. But as our physical activity ramps up, it's important to account for the increased risk of injuries. Maintaining awareness of the risks of these injuries and taking preventive steps can help you stay active and healthy. If injuries do happen, MD Now® urgent care is here to provide high-quality care for you so you can quickly return to enjoying the season.

Stay on your feet: Preventing ankle sprains

Spring is the time of year when participation in activities like jogging, hiking, tennis, basketball and other sports starts to pick up. If you're a parent, you may have kids on baseball, softball, soccer or other outdoor sports teams – you may even be playing sports like these yourself. Other outdoor activities like football, ultimate frisbee or frisbee golf can involve fairly large groups of people. When engaging in these activities, it's important to keep an eye out for uneven terrain and hidden obstacles. An unexpected misstep can lead to sprained ankles and other injuries. Depending on the severity, recovery time for sprains can take anywhere from two weeks to several months. To reduce your risk:

• Wear correctly sized supportive footwear with good traction.
• Stay aware of your surroundings while walking or running.
• Warm up before engaging in strenuous activities.

If you do experience an ankle sprain, swelling or persistent pain, MD Now® urgent care offers state-of-the-art diagnostics, including X-ray and treatment to support your recovery.

Ease into activity: Avoiding overuse injuries

When we are excited to start a new activity, it's easy to overdo it– especially when it's one we enjoy. Overuse injuries often result from repetitive movements over time, pushing too hard too soon or a lack of recovery time. As you jump back into outdoor sports or hobbies, your body may need time to adjust if you haven't been as active over the winter months. Overuse injuries can include, tendonitis, muscle fatigue and stress fractures. To prevent them:

• Ramp up your activity gradually rather than maxing out right away.
• Incorporate stretching and warmups before exercise.
• After high levels of activity, prioritize recovery time and stay hydrated.

Pay attention to pain—it’s your body’s way of signaling that it needs a break. Stretching and warming up are excellent ways to prevent injury, especially if you've been away from exercising for a while. It's also important to listen to your body and not try to overwork yourself trying to make up for lost exercise time.

Be proactive: Protect your health this spring

As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Instead of waiting until an injury occurs, take proactive measures to protect yourself and avoid potential risks. Invest in proper footwear and equipment for your favorite springtime activities. Also, don't forget to give yourself time to rest and recover when needed. Prevention is the best way to avoid injuries and stay healthy throughout the season.

For non-emergent injuries, a visit to an MD Now urgent care location is a great way to help you get back to your normal routine. If you do experience muscle and joint injuries you can use the RICE method: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. Additionally, over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can also help. For severe injuries, a trip to the doctor or emergency room might be in order. But for minor injuries, a trip to urgent care can help speed up your recovery process.

Should a sprain, strain or overuse injury arise, MD Now urgent care is your trusted healthcare partner, offering everything from X-rays to expert medical consultations. With 110 locations across Florida, our physician-led team is here to provide high-quality care so you can confidently enjoy all that spring has to offer. Use our convenient Web Check-in® and wait from anywhere.