Cheerleading Injuries
Get Back on the Mat with Physical Therapy!
If you’re a cheerleader, you know how disappointing it can be when cheerleading injuries leave you off the mat for too long.
Depending on whether you are a flyer, base, or backspot, you may be more prone to certain injuries than others. As stated by the Stop Sports Injuries website, “While not as frequent as injuries in other sports, cheerleading injuries tend to be more severe, making up more than half of the catastrophic injuries in female athletes. Cheerleading injuries affect all areas of the body — most commonly the wrists, shoulders, ankles, head, and neck.”
A few common types of cheer injuries VCSST can treat are:
1. Sprains and Strains: These types of injuries account for the most common injuries sustained in cheer. Sprains and strains most often occur in the legs and are graded on a continuum from the ligament/muscle being overstretched to a complete tear. Back pain can be caused by muscular strains and is also very prevalent in this population. Sprains and strains are also seen in the upper quarter and can be found in the neck, wrists, and shoulders.
2. Fractures and dislocations: This category account for the second most common types of injuries sustained in cheer. The most common fracture locations are the ankles, wrists, forearm, and lower back (spondylolysis). Dislocations are most seen at the ankle, patella (kneecap), elbows and shoulder. 3. Concussions: The CDC defines a concussion as “a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth”. The American Academy of Pediatrics published a study that identified cheerleading as having one of the highest rates of concussion sustained during practice, second to football. The greatest risk for sustaining a concussion occurs while stunting and all members of the stunt group appear to be at risk.
If you’ve recently sustained a cheerleading injury, don’t wait to find relief – our Midlothian, VA physical therapists at Virginia Center for Spine and Sports Therapy can get you stunting and tumbling again ASAP! ‘
Contact us today to get started.
“How can physical therapy relieve my cheer injury?“
When you arrive for your initial consultation at Virginia Center for Spine and Sports Therapy, your physical therapist will ask you a series of questions regarding your cheerleading position, the location of your injury, your symptoms, and the frequency/severity of discomfort that you are experiencing.
From there, your physical therapist will conduct a physical examination to determine your current limitations and which area(s) will be in need of treatment/strengthening. Your treatment plan will include a combination of manual therapy, as well as sport-specific exercises and stretches to help you regain your strength and heal the affected area as quickly as possible.
Your physical therapist can also demonstrate proper form and techniques for your position, as well as helpful warm-up/cool down exercises to help reduce the risk of injuries occurring again in the future.
“How can I get started?“
If you have recently sustained a cheerleading injury, don’t hesitate to contact our Midlothian, VA physical therapy office today to get started on the first steps of your treatment plan. At Virginia Center for Spine and Sports Therapy, our goal is to help you get back to doing the activities you love!
