Common Skiing and Snowboarding Injuries and How to Avoid Them

Last updated 3 months ago

Winter sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, are fun and exciting activities, but they can also be dangerous. Before hitting the slopes with your skis or snowboard, keep reading to learn how to avoid common skiing and snowboarding injuries. If you do sustain an injury on the slopes, physical therapy can help ease your pain and heal your body.

1. Wrist Fracture: Falling is common when skiing and snowboarding. It’s also incredibly common for people to put their hands out to try and catch and gently break the fall. For this reason, wrist fractures are one of the most common skiing and snowboarding injuries. It is natural to put your hands out, so this type of injury can be hard to avoid. However, if you do feel like you’re about to fall, look for powder snow, which is softer and can help cushion your fall. You could also kneel or squat before putting your hands out, as this will slow you down and prevent further strain on the wrists.

2. Muscle and Joint Sprain: If you’re not in great shape or accustomed to skiing and snowboarding, then you could be at risk for muscle and joint sprain. These particular snow sports are tough on the body, and they require use of just about every muscle. Therefore, you should take it slow and build up to a full day of skiing or snowboarding. You could also spend the weeks leading up to your day on the slopes getting your muscles in shape. Also, pay attention to how you feel when you’re on the slopes and give yourself a break when your body is asking for one.

3. Contusions: Contusions, or bruises, are highly common, since falling while skiing and snowboarding is normal, especially for the inexperienced. If you are new to the sport, then you should expect to fall and over-extend your body. These accidents may cause bruises, so be prepared to feel a bit sore the day after your skiing or snowboarding adventure.

If you need to recuperate from your time on the slopes, visit Manhattan Total Health. We specialize in wellness services that rejuvenate and heal the body, including chiropractic care, medical massage, acupuncture, and more. We also offer nutrition management and tips for staying well at work, so call (888) 614-9257 today to get the help your body needs.