Common Winter Injuries

With winter in full-swing, there are many cold-weather related injuries, that many people do not think about beforehand. Amongst those most at risk are those who participate in winter sports, but there are other injuries that can affect anybody during the winter months. At Park Physical Therapy in Massapequa, we treat all kinds of injuries, and we want you to be able to enjoy the winter injury-free. We have some advice on how to stay safe this winter.

If you or someone you know participates in winter sports, such as hockey, ice skating, skiing, or snowboarding, read about how to stay safe before participating. Make sure that your equipment is in good condition, try to stay in shape during the off-season, and wear comfortable, appropriate clothing for your sport.

Even if you are not an athlete, you can still be at risk for a winter injury, both at home and outside. One of the most common injuries comes from shoveling your driveway. While strains and sprains are very common, there are other more dangerous injuries that one could risk from shoveling large amounts of snow, including lacerations and fractures. If you feel shoveling snow is too dangerous for your physical condition, consider hiring somebody to shovel for you, or get a snowblower. At Park Physical Therapy, we can show you how to maintain good posture, as this will help reduce your risk of injury.

Another very common winter injury for people of all ages is slipping on snow and ice. Our advice to avoid falling includes wearing appropriate, sturdy footwear. This assures your body a good grip on the ice. If you are walking somewhere, allow yourself extra time and walk more slowly. Our physical therapists in Massapequa suggest you try and stay in shape during the winter months, to reduce the risk of falling and keeping the muscles strong.