3M Nexcare Sports Medicine Products Help Keep Players In The Game
	Sport is a major part of our everyday lives and, unfortunately, so are injuries... More Innovation stories					In 1999/2000 ACC reported 27,994 paid entitlement claims for sporting injuries in New Zealand. Sport is a major part of our everyday lives and, unfortunately, so are injuries. However, some are preventable, according to Duncan Reid, Senior Lecturer in Sports and Manipulative Physiotherapy at Auckland University of Technology. Knowledge about preventing and managing injuries, including the correct way to tape and bandage potential and existing injury sites, goes a long way towards keeping players actively engaged in their sport. 3M New Zealand's new Nexcare™ sports medicine range covers all potential injury sites, with products such as preventative and treatment strapping tape, compression wraps, hypoallergenic adhesive tapes, bandages, underwraps and padding. (For more information about 3M's range of sports medicine products visit www.3Msports.co.nz) ACC statistics show that the majority of sports injuries in New Zealand are made to the head, shoulders, hamstrings, lower legs, knees, ankles and feet. "Muscle and ligament strains or sprains in particular can be minimised by following some key steps", says Mr Reid. · Have an adequate warm up. The colder the day the longer you will need. A warm up should include some low level aerobic activity, a light run or brisk walk followed by stretches to the major muscles and joints being used. · If you have had a previous injury, for example a sprained ankle, you may need to look at strapping or bracing that body part to give it greater support. Studies have shown that taping is effective in reducing such injuries. Taping has also been shown to improve balance and reaction time if the injured ankle is strapped. If you are unsure if you need a brace or some form of taping consult you nearest physiotherapist or health professional. · Make sure the equipment used in that sport is in good shape and does the job it was designed for. For example check that you have the appropriate foot wear. · Are you physically prepared and fit enough for the activity you are about to embark on. The better prepared you are the less likely you are to get injured. · If you do get injured, minimise the damage by applying the RICE regime: REST - stop the activity that has produced the injury to prevent further bleeding. ICE - apply ice for ten minutes every two to three hours within the first 24 hours of the injury occurring. COMPRESION - apply a form bandage around the injured area to further reduce bleeding and swelling. ELEVATION - elevate the limb if possible to get the blood back into the circulatory system. REFERRAL - seek further help if you are not happy with the progress of your injury.

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