Summer Is Peak Time For Outdoor Sports Injuries

By Henry Ford Health

June 6, 2023

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Summertime is the ideal time for outdoor activities like boating, swimming, barbecues and picnicking. It's also ripe for sports injuries, says Nancy White, M.D., a Henry Ford Health sports medicine physician.

"We encourage people of all ages to get outside and take advantage of all the activities available during the summer. It's very important, though, that people keep safety top of mind to reduce their risk of injury," Dr. White says.

Dr. White counts these as the five most common injuries:

"Trampoline injuries are mostly caused by jumping, either by an awkward landing or colliding with someone," Dr. White says. "Overuse injuries happen when someone overextends themselves in a particular activity, whether it's attending multiple sports camps or simply exercising outdoors."

Dr. White recommends these three tips for reducing your risk of injury:

For soft-tissue injuries strains and sprains, Dr. White says the R.I.C.E. method is an immediate at-home treatment you can apply to reduce swelling and pain. It stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen (like Advil) or acetaminophen (like Tylenol), can help too.

If the pain worsens to the point that it interferes with your usual activities or sleep, make an appointment with your doctor or a sports medicine doctor.

Seek medical attention immediately if your pain was caused by a particularly forceful impact, you suspect a broken bone, or if the injury is accompanied by:

For injuries that don't improve and require medical attention, visit henryford.com/sports and request an appointment with a Henry Ford sports medicine doctor.

Dr. Nancy White is a sports medicine doctor seeing patients at Henry Ford Medical Center-Columbus in Novi and at the William Clay Ford Center for Athletic Medicine in midtown Detroit.

By Henry Ford Health

May 9, 2023

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In the ancient Chinese medicine of acupuncture, thin needles are gently inserted into specific areas of the body, stimulating blood flow to speed the recovery of certain ailments.

It can be used as a treatment for everything from headaches and unbalanced hormones to joint pain and weakened immune systems. Acupuncture is also popular among athletes, as many of them incorporate it into their wellness regimens to stay in peak physical condition.

"Back in the day, athletes ate steak, smoked cigars and drank whiskey during the week and then played football on Sunday," says Thomas Betts, a sports medicine acupuncturist with Henry Ford Health System. "But today, to improve their performance, athletes are attacking the body from every angle possible with diet, lifestyle and exercise. NBA players, for example, have talked about how acupuncture keeps them feeling their best."

But you don't have to be an NBA star to reap the benefits of acupuncture. Whether you’re a professional or student athlete, or you exercise and play sports for fun or to challenge yourself, here are ways acupuncture can boost your game:

Learn more about acupuncture and other integrative medicine services at Henry Ford. To make an appointment, you can request one online or by calling 1-833-246-4347.

Thomas Betts, DOAM, RAc, is a certified sports acupuncturist with Henry Ford Health. He sees patients at the Henry Ford Center for Athletic Medicine in Detroit.