Are you a basketball player, swimmer, or baseball pitcher? Then you know firsthand how important shoulder health is to performing at the top of your game. In fact, shoulder health is of considerable importance in most sports, which is why taking care of your shoulders should be part of every practice and competition. To make sure that you avoid painful and incapacitating shoulder injuries , keep in mind these essential safety tips:

Warm Up

Your muscles and joints are more flexible and better able to withstand stress when they are properly warmed up. If you often begin your practice or game without gradually increasing the strain put upon shoulders, you may be increasing your risk of sustaining a shoulder injury. So before you try to perform at your highest intensity, warm up your shoulder joints. Exercises that gently stretch the muscles of the shoulder, as well as activities that increase blood flow to the area, can help to lessen the chance of a strain or sprain.

Heed Warning Signs

Many athletes live by a motto of playing through the pain. However, pain is an important warning sign from the body. When discomfort presents in the shoulder region, the body is alerting you that there is a problem. So instead of ignoring shoulder pain, seek help for it as soon as possible. An orthopedist can determine the nature of your discomfort and offer treatment for your ailment before it evolves into a bigger problem.

Allow Your Shoulder to Rest

Rigorous exercise can leave your shoulders weary and sore. Though the body can eventually recover from these side effects, trying to return to your activities before the body has a chance to properly rest can lead to substantial injuries. If you must continue to practice, try other forms of exercise that will notstrain your shoulders . Only once the inflammation in your shoulders subsides should you return to your normal activities.

If you are suffering from chronic shoulder pain or stiffness, talk to the experts at Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine. Our team of orthopedic doctors can quickly and capably help you get back to total health as soon as possible. Call (718) 690-9520 to make an appointment with an orthopedist at our NYC office.