Weightlifting

Introduction
Weightlifting is a highly effective sport for building strength, muscle mass, and overall fitness. However, due to the intense physical demands of lifting heavy weights, it can also lead to a variety of injuries, particularly when form is compromised or when lifting too much too quickly.

Common Injuries

1. Shoulder Injuries: Rotator cuff strains or tears due to overhead lifting or improper form during presses or snatches.
2. Lower Back Injuries: Strains or herniated discs from improper lifting technique, especially during deadlifts and squats.
3. Knee Injuries: Ligament sprains or strains, particularly with squatting or lunging movements that place stress on the knee joint.
4. Wrist Injuries: Sprains or tendinitis due to overuse, improper grip, or excessive load during lifting exercises.
5. Elbow Injuries: Tendonitis or bursitis caused by repetitive movements such as curls or overhead presses.
6. Hamstring Strains: Overstretching or improper warm-up before heavy lifting can lead to hamstring strains.

Causes

1. Lifting too much weight, poor technique, inadequate warm-up, muscle imbalances, overtraining, or not allowing sufficient recovery time between sessions.

Prevention

1. Proper warm-up and cool-down routines, focusing on technique, using appropriate weight, incorporating rest days, and strength training to correct imbalances.

Treatment

1. Rest & Ice: To reduce inflammation and allow the body to recover from injury.
2. Physiotherapy: Rehabilitation exercises focusing on flexibility, strengthening muscles around the injured area, and restoring mobility.
3. Medication: NSAIDs to manage pain and inflammation.
4. Compression & Elevation: To help reduce swelling in case of sprains or strains.
5. Surgery: In severe cases, such as ruptured tendons or ligaments, surgery may be needed.
6. Rehabilitation: Targeted exercises to strengthen the injured area, improve posture, and restore functional movements, with a gradual return to lifting.