Sports injuries are excruciating and one of the fastest ways to get good players off the field. Regardless of the sport you play or how if you hurt yourself, the treatment and time needed to heal injuries are often similar.
An acute muscle injury occurs when you suddenly stretch a muscle beyond its elasticity. It can be done on the sports field or in your garden. If you are experiencing one of these injuries, you must take care or assess the injury correctly and contact a doctor
immediately. You must not ignore the pain or other symptoms of sports injuries. Ignoring and continuing to play can worsen your injury and may affect you for the rest of your life. Although there are some injuries that you can treat at home, it’s always better to be on the safe side.
Immediately After Your Injury:
You can expect several things to happen in the first few hours after a muscle injury. In addition to muscle pain, swelling and bruising can occur. Early acute pain can give way to throbbing pain. The injured area is also sensitive to movement and gentle touch. You
might not be able to use it usually for the first few hours. If you don’t have any of these symptoms, use the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevate) to treat your injury immediately after it occurs and for the next 48 hours. Proper care and care starts with being smart and knowing when to stay away from an injury. Your first decision after an injury can affect the way you always treat it.
R.I.C.E. is an abbreviation that is widely used by coaches and sports athletes to remember how to treat minor muscle injuries. It stands for rest, ice, compression and elevate.
Rest:
Rest is one of the most effective ways to start your healing process. Your initial muscles are weak and vulnerable to further injury, especially in the morning. Start taking rest to help for early recovery and injury to heal.
Ice:
The benefits of using ice are most significant on the first or second day after injury. Apply a bag of crushed ice, a bag of frozen vegetables, or an ice pack for your injury. It reduces pain and prevents swelling by reducing blood flow to the area. To avoid
frostbite, never place ice directly on your bare skin. Instead, wrap it in a cheesecloth or towel before applying it to the damaged area. Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes each and let the skin return to the average temperature between freezing.
Compress:
An elastic bandage wrapped tightly around your injury can reduce swelling by preventing fluid from accumulating. It can also help relieve pain by keeping the damaged area slightly immovable. A bandage may not be enough to repair a damaged area fully, but it does provide support and reminds you to remain silent. If the bandage causes numbness or tingling, remove and wrap it loosely. It should not be too tight so that it causes discomfort or impedes blood flow. Even mild compression can help prevent the buildup of fluid around the injury.
Elevate:
If you elevate the injury above the level of your heart, the swelling gets minimised, allowing fluid to flow out of the area. If you cannot lift it above your heart, try to keep the injured area at the same level or near your heart. If you have an injury to your buttocks
or thighs, try placing your buttocks with one or two pillows and lowering your back to facilitate lifting.
Conclusion:
Whether you are an amateur or professional athlete, it is not uncommon for you to hurt yourself from time to time. After the swelling subsides, try alternating cold and hot treatments with relieving pain. Start to stretch and move slightly. If you suspect that your injury is severe or your recovery process is not going well, make an appointment with a doctor.