Being sidelined is the worst. Here are tips for avoiding it.

Head Injuries. It goes without saying that having your head collide with a solid object can be painful. Then there’s the risk of serious injury—fractures or concussions with severe, long-term consequences, including loss of cognitive function—or even death.

Speed is another factor in head injuries—the greater the speed, the greater the risk. So slow down, especially on crowded slopes. Be aware of your surroundings and be prepared to yield to other skiers, even when you have the right-of-way. Don’t assume that they are all as skilled as you are or that they can avoid a collision. Keep in mind that unskilled skiers are often fully-occupied just trying to stay upright and learn basic mechanics. The details of their new sport can be quite distracting and they may not see you.

Knee Injuries. Sprains and torn ligaments in the knee are quite common. They account for about 40% of all injuries in skiing. The best preventative measure is to exercise and condition the legs and knees for at least six weeks prior to ski season. During an accident, don’t resist falling. That could result in greater injury. Also, don’t hold too wide a snowplow stance. This can place undue stress on the knees, especially when turning.

Spinal Damage. Collision in any sport risks causing damage to the spine, and skiing is no exception. It is easy for your spine to become misaligned after a fall. If you experience pain in your back or other shooting pain radiating along your extremities, see your chiropractor to assess and correct the damage.

TREATMENTS

Active Release Techniques (ART)
Chiropractic
Cold Laser Therapy
Custom Rehab Programs
Custom Stretching Programs
Electric Stimulation
Flexion-Distraction Therapy
Graston Technique
Graston Technique Download
Laser Therapy
Manipulation Under Anesthesia
Medical Massage
Nerve Conduction Velocity Testing
Physical Therapy
Posture Correction
Spinal Decompression Therapy
Trigger Point Injections
Ultrasound Therapy

Conrad Tokarczyk is a human sciences graduate (BSc.) He works as a GP referral consultant for a short period working with people with a range of chronic health conditions such as hypertension, hypocholesterolemia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to name a few. Learn more about Conrad Tokarczyk here. Like the official Conrad Tokarczyk facebook page for more ski injury prevention tips. Show your support online by following Conrad Tokarczyk on Twitter here.