What Every Athlete and Parent Should Know Before the First Fall Game
What Every Athlete and Parent Should Know Before the First Fall Game
From fresh uniforms to the first day at practice, the joy of the fall sports season is hard to beat. Amid the excitement, however, it’s easy to overlook one important goal: keeping athletes healthy enough to enjoy the entire season.
Whether you’re preparing for football, volleyball, or another fall sport, a proactive approach to sports injuries can help you stay strong, perform your best, and spend more time on the field than on the sidelines.
Sports Injuries To Watch Out For
Different sports place different demands on the body, but several injuries tend to occur across a wide range of athletes, including:
- Ankle sprains caused by rolling or twisting the ankle during running, jumping, or sudden changes in direction.
- Muscle strains, which occur when muscles or tendons (the tissues connecting muscle to bone) are stretched beyond their limits.
- Knee injuries, including ligament sprains and irritation around the kneecap.
- Shoulder injuries from repetitive throwing, blocking, or contact.
- Overuse injuries, which develop gradually after repeated stress on your tissues outpaces your body’s natural ability to repair itself. Common examples include shin splints, tennis elbow, or stress fractures.
The best way to stay in the game is to address aches and pains early. If soreness lingers, pain worsens, or an injury keeps you from performing your best, physical therapy can help identify the problem, speed recovery, and reduce the risk of missing valuable time this season.
Three Ways to Lower Your Injury Risk
Get Your Sports Physical
At Sievers Sports Medicine, we believe prevention is one of the most important considerations for athletes as they head into the new season. And that actually starts with their annual sports physical.
Many parents and athletes see the sports physical as an obligation they have to get out of the way before they can participate in their favorite sport. In reality, it’s an opportunity to sit down with our sports physician and review your medical history, previous injuries, and overall health.
We can identify potential barriers to participation, discuss strategies to reduce injury risk before the season begins, and answer any questions about training and conditioning.
Practice Injury-Prevention Habits
No prevention plan can eliminate every injury, but consistent healthy habits significantly reduce risk.
We recommend:
- Completing dynamic warm-ups before practices and games.
- Gradually increasing training intensity instead of jumping straight into high-level practices.
- Wearing sport-specific footwear that fits correctly.
- Allowing enough rest between practices and competitions.
- Visiting Sievers Sports Medicine if you experience any lingering pain or other concerns.
Remember the Importance of Recovery
Did you know your sports performance actually improves between practices? Recovery gives your body the chance it needs to build strength and endurance while allowing your muscles, tendons, and bones to adapt to training, reducing the risk of overuse injuries.
Make the most of recovery by:
- Drinking enough fluids before, during, and after activity.
- Eating balanced meals that support energy and tissue repair.
- Getting adequate sleep each night.
- Including recovery days in your training schedule.
- Maintaining strength and mobility throughout the season.
Taking recovery seriously helps your body adapt to training, improves performance, and keeps you healthier throughout the season.
Expert Care For When Injuries Do Occur
Of course, sometimes injuries happen, even with good prevention practices. When they do, the team at Sievers Sports Medicine is here to help get you back in the game as safely and quickly as possible.
Warning Signs an Athlete Shouldn’t Ignore
Many athletes are tempted to play through pain, but doing so can turn a minor problem into a more serious injury. Early evaluation often leads to a faster, safer recovery. If you notice any of the following, give us a call:
- Pain that continues during or after activity.
- Swelling that doesn’t improve after a day or two.
- Limping or changes in running mechanics.
- Reduced strength or range of motion.
- Repeated complaints about the same area.
- Difficulty throwing, jumping, or changing direction.
- Pain that wakes you at night or returns with every practice.
Personalized Care Plans That Fit Your Needs
We offer comprehensive sports medicine services to help athletes receive an accurate diagnosis and an individualized treatment plan. Depending on the injury, care may include:
- A detailed evaluation to determine the source of pain and recommend appropriate treatment.
- In-house imaging services, including musculoskeletal ultrasound and X-rays, to assist with diagnosis.
- PRP and other regenerative medicine options, which may be appropriate for select tendon, ligament, or joint injuries as a way to support the body’s natural repair process and help build new, healthy tissue.
Keep the Focus on the Season Ahead
Every athlete hopes for a season filled with growth, competition, and memorable moments—not injuries. Whether you want to address a lingering injury or schedule your preseason physical, Sievers Sports Medicine is here to help. Schedule an appointment to get started.
Exercise Tip of the Month
Lunges
Complete 3 sets of 10 reps (each leg).
Materials Needed: None.
Exercise Tracker
Congrats to Our Yeti Giveaway Winner! 🎉
💳 Flexible Financing Options
Get the care you need now—and pay in a way that works for you.
CareCredit Financing
The CareCredit credit card gives you a convenient, flexible way to pay for care for the whole family—even pets.
With promotional financing on purchases of $200 or more, you can break payments into manageable monthly amounts.
Self-Pay Options
Other Payment Methods
Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover
Cash & Checks: Accepted
HSA / FSA: Use your health savings or flexible spending accounts
💬 Success Stories
Real people. Real results. Here’s what patients are saying.
Easy Middle Eastern Eggplant Wraps
Roasted eggplant, crisp store-bought slaw, and creamy tahini come together for a quick, flavorful, plant-forward meal.
Ingredients
- 1 large eggplant, sliced into rounds
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- 2 cups store-bought coleslaw mix
- ⅓ cup prepared tahini sauce
- 4 large wraps or pita breads
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Toss the eggplant slices with olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Roast for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and lightly browned.
- Warm the wraps or pita.
- Fill each wrap with roasted eggplant and a generous handful of store-bought slaw.
- Drizzle with tahini sauce.
- Top with fresh parsley if desired, roll up, and serve immediately.
👩⚕️ Meet Your Care Team
