Sports injuries are very common, not just among sportspeople but others too. For example, factory workers can suffer from tennis elbow too.
In the US, about 30 million children and teenagers participate in sports or recreational activities, out of which there are almost 3.5 million sports-related injuries yearly.
If you also lead an active lifestyle but have recently suffered from some kind of sports injury, then this article will let you know some of the effective ways of treatment, depending on what kind of injury you’ve had.
1. Immobilization
If your injury is categorized as musculoskeletal, then your doctor might recommend you immediately immobilize the injured area.
Even an athletic trainer or a paramedic will be able to help you with the immobilization process.
This procedure helps you to limit movement in the injured area so that the blood can flow directly to that spot and heal it faster.
Furthermore, immobilization also reduces swelling, pain, and tingling. Your doctor will either tie a sling to immobilize your upper body, including the arms, or put a splint or cast to protect injured tissues and bones.
2. Physical therapy
If your sports injury is mild, such as a sprain or a muscle cramp, you’ll require a physiotherapist’s aid.
You won’t have to undergo any special healing process because a bit of physical therapy and stretching can easily help you recuperate.
However, you have to consult a physiotherapist based on the area you live in. For example, if you’re a resident of Jaipur, you can get in touch with a licensed physiotherapist in Mansarovar, Jaipur.
The physiotherapist will walk you through basic exercises like stretching, easy walking, and mild exercises.
3. Ice therapy
Applying an ice pack to the injured area right after the accident can be beneficial. Ice reduces swelling and numbs the painful area so you don’t feel uncomfortable.
Buy a cooling gel or simply wrap some ice cubes in a towel and gently put it on the swollen or red area for about 20 minutes.
Repeat this four to eight times a day until you feel that the swelling has considerably reduced.
To avoid further injury or even frostbite, keep taking the ice pack away from your injury after even 20 minutes. Later, you can apply heat therapy to promote muscle movements.
4. Regenerative medicine
If you have suffered from tennis elbow or bone injury while playing, regenerative medicine might be the ideal treatment.
This type of medicine is a non-surgical procedure of making your body heal itself. The medicinal therapy is directed right at the source of the injury to jumpstart the healing process. Regenerative medicine is especially useful for chronic tendon issues.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a type of regenerative therapy where a solution of your plasma and platelets are retrieved from your blood. It is then injected into the wounded area by ultrasound imaging.
5. Different sports equipment
One common reason why you might constantly be suffering from sports injuries is the use of improper sports equipment, namely shoes, and rackets.
For example, if you often play tennis or badminton, you need to ensure that the shoes you wear fit the sport. Wear only sports sneakers and play with a racket that ensures good grip.
If you wear heavy shoes, have pointy heels, or carry equipment that can easily bend or break, you’ll suffer from ligament injuries. So, choose sports uniforms and equipment very carefully before buying.
6. OTC medicines
Over-the-counter or OTC medicines can also help heal mild to moderate sports injuries.
Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug that has proven to be very useful in reducing swelling and redness of the wounded region.
Your doctor might also prescribe corticosteroids, which is another group of drugs. Anti-inflammatory medicines are mostly used to treat sprains and tendonitis.
Most of them don’t require a prescription but remember to consult with your healthcare physician before buying any medicine on your own.
Over to you…
These are some of the most effective and useful methods of tending to sports injuries. However, if none of them work and your pain worsens with time, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor for further instructions.
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