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The Wimbledon Championships for 2022 have come to a close and we’ve been inspired to dust off our tennis gear and play a few sets ourselves. Unfortunately, sporting injuries are an all too common thing at this time of year as people, like us, take up more exercise in these lovely, warmer months. We regularly help our customers with aids and products to get them through times of injury. So here are the top sporting injuries we see and the products we would recommend to help you treat them and get back to exercising as soon as possible. Tennis Elbow/Golf Wrist If you play tennis or golf for long enough, you’ll eventually fall foul to pains in the joints of the elbow or wrist. Tennis elbow is caused by the overuse of the muscles attached to your elbow. If those muscles are strained then tiny tears and inflammation will appear causing pain and stiffness to the joint. Similarly with golf, because of the different movement, the tears can occur on the inside of the elbow. Although tennis elbow comes on over a period of time, when you start to feel any pain we would recommend using an ice pack on the affected area for ten to fifteen minutes every four to six hours to help reduce the initial pain and inflammation. Invest in a golf elbow wrap or a biomagnetic wrist support which can be used on wrists or elbows and will stimulate blood flow to help speed up the healing process. Stop playing tennis/golf while the pain exists and rest the arm. You can continue to use the wrist/elbow wraps/support once you’ve been given the all clear to return to the sport as they offer extra stability to the joint. Runners Knee and Ankle Pain Hip, knee or ankle pains are the most common joint issues that affect runners. Runners Knee is often caused by running in badly fitted or unsupportive shoes, a tightness or weakness elsewhere in the body (e.g. glutes, IT band etc), overuse or misalignment of the knee cap itself. Ankle pain can equally be caused by a weakness in surrounding muscles or could simply occur as a result of a slight stumble or fall. With both conditions, if there is a sudden pain and inflammation you should treat the area with an ice pack, rest and elevate the leg. Applying compression to the sore knee or ankle is important to restrict the swelling and offer support to the joint as a whole. A simple elasticated knee support or ankle strapping can offer improved mobility and prevent further injury once you’ve returned to the sport. If you need some more serious support specifically around the knee and ankle joints, a bio magnetic knee support or ankle support will help to speed up recovery.  Back sprain/ pain The lower back is subject to a great deal of strain in many different sports. Golf, running, weightlifting and even cycling can result in damage to the lower back. Repetitive impact, twisting movements, weight loading and holding your body in a static position for long periods of time can all impact the muscles in the lower region of the spine. Wearing a bio magnetic back support or back brace can help to support a painful back during movement, both while you’re in recovery mode and once you’re back to full fitness. A back support will also help to align your spine and strengthen the back muscles which will speed up the recovery process. Many sports persons will use a back support for everyday activities too. So consult your GP or sports practitioner before embarking on any treatment or further exercise if you have an injury. Need more help? We're always here to help so get in touch today. For all your Medical and Homecare supplies give us a call at Mediworld. We have over 40 years experience in medical, surgical, mobility and home health supplies and we're always on hand to chat if you need support or advice and don't forget to read our other great health blogs!   July 2022