If you’re a devoted athlete, there’s a good chance you’ve experienced the agony of a sports injury. Maybe you’ve torn a ligament while playing basketball or pulled a muscle while running. No matter how it happened, if you’re in pain, you want to do everything possible to make the hurt go away.
But what exactly should you do? Well, this article should be able to answer this common question.
Find Pain Relief
One of the most important things you can do when you’re suffering from a sports injury is to find a way to manage the pain. This may include taking over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, or topical treatments, such as creams or patches.
You may also want to Buy CBD oils if your doctor has recommended them in the past. Over the years, this natural remedy has been known to aid with pain relief, and many have experienced positive results after using it.
Of course, speaking to your doctor before trying this treatment path is always in your best interest. The most important thing for them is to find the best type of pain relief for their needs. And depending on your circumstances, this may come in the form of CBD.
If the pain is severe and is not managed by alternative solutions, you may need to see a doctor for stronger prescription medications. In some cases, pain management may also include steroid injections or surgery.
Rest and Recovery
Another important part of treating a sports injury is to allow your body to rest and recover. This means taking it easy and avoiding activities that will aggravate your injury. Depending on the severity of your injury, this could mean taking a few days, or several weeks, off from training to help you recover. Eating nutritious meals and getting enough daily vitamins are also important to help your body heal. You can take over-the-counter vitamin supplements or get an intravenous drip to get the hydration and nutrients you need for a healthy recovery.
If you have a more serious injury, you may need to consult a physical therapist or doctor to create a rehabilitation program. This program will help you regain strength and range of motion in the injured area while avoiding further injury.
Ice
Applying ice to an injured area can help reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. Ice should be applied for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
Do not apply ice directly to the skin, which could cause tissue damage. Instead, wrap the ice in a towel or piece of clothing.
Compression
Compression bandages or garments can also help reduce swelling and pain. They work by applying pressure to the injured area, which helps to prevent fluid from building up.
Compression bandages should be applied snugly but not so tightly that they cut off circulation.
Elevation
Elevating an injured body part is one of the most common pieces of advice you will hear when it comes to sports injuries. The reason is that gravity pulls fluids down, and when you elevate an injured area, you allow those fluids to drain away from the injury site. This can help reduce swelling and pain.
Don’t hesitate to elevate the affected area as much as possible. Depending on where you are injured, this can mean propping up your leg on a pillow while sitting down or using an ice pack to elevate your arm.
Speak to a Doctor
If you have suffered from an injury, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible. They will be able to diagnose the injury and provide you with appropriate treatment. Depending on the severity, they may also refer you to a specialist if needed.
If you doubt whether or not you should see a doctor, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. The last thing you want to deal with is an injury that has been made worse because you didn’t take the time to make an appointment with your doctor as soon as it happened.
You will feel much better by getting it checked out, so you should do this if you want peace of mind.
It’s important to remember that a sports injury can be very frustrating and even depressing. However, by focusing on your recovery, you will be back on the field in no time.
Apply these tips, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you need it!
