Many people enjoy playing sports for fun or as a profession, but frequently sports injuries occur. In order to recover from a sports injury, many home care tips can be helpful. Here’s how to treat common injuries after sports so you may be able to return to your favorite activity quickly and without any problems.
Rest
It is vital that you rest your body in order for the injury to heal properly. If you have a cut or break in one of your bones, it is likely that it should not be moved at all until the doctor gives the go-ahead.
Lifting heavy objects with a sprained ankle could cause further damage and make the pain worse than before. Thus, it is imperative that you take extra precautions to support the injured area with kinesiotape.
In addition, if you do not allow yourself enough time to rest and recuperate, it is likely that the injury will take longer than expected to heal. On the other hand, if you allow your body the correct amount of time to rest, not only is it likely that you will recover faster after an injury, but also that you can continue playing sports as well.
Apply Ice
After a sports injury, many people recommend applying ice to the area in order for swelling and pain to go down. Ice is thought to reduce inflammation and relieve pain by numbing nerve endings under the skin. This technique, along with plenty of rest, is essential for healing broken bones and preventing further injuries.
However, it is important not to apply ice directly onto your skin because doing so could cause frostbite or, worse yet, gangrene which would require immediate medical attention. Instead, it is best to wrap ice in a thin towel or use cold packs.
Compression
Another helpful home care tip after sports injuries is compression of the affected area. Compression can help blood vessels constrict and reduce bleeding beneath the surface of your skin by applying pressure on top of the injury using an elastic bandage wrap, towels, or even paper towels will do if no other materials are available.
Furthermore, tourniquets are not recommended without prior training. Wrapping up injured areas with compression aids circulation, which is thought to prevent internal bruising as well as helping wounds heal faster.
If you have sustained a head, neck, or back injury during sports, one thing you should definitely not do is an exercise for two weeks afterward. It would be wise to relax the body instead of working out strenuously for this amount of time.
Elevate Your Injured Limb
Elevating your hurt limb or joint can also help blood flow to an injury, reducing pain by alleviating pressure on the nerves, muscles, and bones in that area. However, it is not practical to sit up all night long after you have sustained a sports injury. Hence, it is best to situate pillows around you frequently during the day, along with continuing to elevate your injury as frequently as possible.
Sometimes, simply elevating your injured limb may be enough to treat your injury. Therefore, if you experience excessive pain or swelling even after elevating it, it is advisable to consult orthopedic specialists. These professionals are trained in identifying and treating sports injuries. Getting the right professional help would ensure you get the care and testament you need to avoid complications and help you recover quicker.
