How To Look After A Sports Injury And Ensure You’re Back To Playing Your Favourite Sports In No Time

If you’re suffering from a sports injury and you’re unsure how to get back on your feet then don’t worry, you have come to the right place. Although it may be a little overwhelming and stressful at first, getting back to the sports you love can be easier than you think. Whether you’re out of action for a couple of weeks or you’ve been advised to take a few of months off, there are lots of things you can do to help speed up the process and make yourself feel much more comfortable. With that in mind, here’s a handy guide to getting back on your feet after a sports injury:

What Is A Sports Injury?

Sports injuries refer to the kinds of injury that usually occur during either sports or exercise. While it is possible to injure any part of the body when playing sports, the term sports injury is more commonly used to refer to injuries to the musculoskeletal system. Common sports injuries include tennis elbow, hamstring strain, shin splits, groin pull and broken bones. Although there are things that can be done to prevent a sports injury, often you will find that it’s much better to focus on your recovery instead.

How To Look After A Sports Injury

• Make Sure You’re Visiting Your Doctor

One of the best things you can do when it comes to looking after a sports injury is to ensure you are visiting your doctor as often as you can. The best time to go, of course, is as soon as you have experienced your injury, as they’ll be able to properly diagnose the issue at hand. If you need further medical attention, they will be able to advise you as to whether or not you should be going to the emergency room.

If you do feel that it’s an emergency, you should be going to the emergency room as soon as you possibly can. For more information about whether or not you should be going to your doctor or the ER, you can visit this site here.

• Get A Professional Opinion If You Need It

If you feel as though your doctor is not giving you the answer that you need, you might want to consider asking for further help. Whether this means going to a rehabilitation clinic or speaking to a physiotherapist, you want to ensure you’re getting as many professional opinions as you can. For more information when it comes to physiotherapy, you can visit Precision Sports Physical Therapy here.

• Protect The Affected Area From Further Injury

Another great way to ensure you’re doing everything you can to look after your sports injury is to ensure you’re protecting it from further harm. Whether that means keeping it in a plaster cast or resting it as much as you possibly can, you want to ensure you are out of harm’s way.

• Use Ice And Heat Methods To Control Swelling

Depending on the type of injury you have sustained, you may want to try using ice and hear methods to control the swelling. Although it may take a little bit of time to work out which method is best for you, ensuring you are controlling the swelling as much as possible is important when it comes to your recovery. For tips and tricks when it comes to applying ice and heat to an injury, you can visit this site here.

• Get As Much Rest As You Possibly Can

If you want to ensure you’re healing as quickly as you possibly can, you need to get as much rest as possible. Although you may have to continue with your day to day life, taking every single moment that you have to rest is important. Whether it’s working from home or ensuring your put your feet up as soon as you get back, the more rest you’re getting the better. If you do find that you’re unable to go to work, you need to be sure you’re making alternative arrangements for the days you’re at home. Whether it’s working from home or claiming leave, contacting your employer should be a priority.

• If You Can, Elevate The Injury Where Possible

If you have sustained an injury to your legs or your feet, you need to be sure you’re keeping them elevated as much as possible. Ideally, they need to be higher than your heart. Although it can be a nuisance, it will help with your speedy recovery.

• Consider Using Compression Bandages

Depending on your injury, you may find that compression bandages can help with the swelling. As these are a specialist method of recovery it is always suggested that you ask your doctor whether or not they recommend them to you. In some cases, you may find that it hinders your recovery time substantially.

• Take Pain Relief To Help With The Pain

One of the best ways to deal with the pain when it comes to a sports injury is to take pain killers. Although you don’t want to rely on them as a method of pain relief, taking them when the pain is too much to bear is essential. Whilst they may be every day for the first few weeks, you will want to ease yourself off of them as you start to recover. Ideally, you will want to get used to the pain without painkillers after a week or so.

• Consider Alternative Options, If Needed

If you find that your injury is not healing as quickly as expected, you may have to consider alternative methods. Whether this means having a consultation for surgery or going to regular physical therapy sessions, you need to be sure you are doing everything you can to get back on your feet. Although it may take a number of different methods to help you get back to your normal self, speeding up the process is essential to your recovery.

How To Ensure You’re Back To Sports In No Time

• Take It One Day At A Time

If you’re looking to get back into sports as soon as you can, you need to be sure you are taking things one day at a time. Although it may be tempting to think ahead and set yourself a goal date in which you’d like to be back to it, you’re only going to find it demotivates your if you’re not making progress fast enough. If you do want to set yourself a goal, make sure you’re checking it over with a professional first.

• Don’t Push Yourself Into Doing Anything Too Soon

Another important thing to bear in mind is that you shouldn’t be pushing yourself into doing things too soon. Whilst you may want to try to get back into sports as soon as possible, you’re only going to make your injury worse if you do it before you’re ready. If you’re feeling peer pressure from your teammates, make sure you’re letting them know how serious your injury.

• Consult Your Doctor For Advice

If you want advice when it comes to going back to playing sports again, you need to make this clear when you’re speaking to your doctor. If they’re unaware that you want to get back to playing sports as soon as possible, they may give you completely different advice. They will be able to give you an idea of how long it is going to take, giving you exercises you can do each day to speed up the process. 

• Consider Physiotherapy

Another great way to speed up your recovery is to consider physical therapy. Although this can be costly, they will be able to give you a routine that will have you back on your feet in no time. Whether it’s small exercises or a full exercise routine, they will have your best interests at heart. Not only that, but they will be able to advise you when it comes to managing your pain during exercise.

If you’re worried about seeing a physiotherapist about your injury, you may want to consider seeking advice from those that have sustained similar injuries to you. They will be able to let you know whether it is worth it and whether or not they had a good experience overall.

• Work With A Personal Trainer

Finally, working with a personal trainer is another great way to get yourself back into sports as soon as possible. Most personal trainers will be trained in rehabilitation and will be able to give you the best possible plan to have you back out there in no time. Although it may take longer than you’d like, you can be sure your personal trainer will be offering you the best possible advice when it comes to your injury. From relaxation to starter exercises, they will be putting your recovery first.

Are you suffering from a sports injury? What can you do to ensure you recover as soon as possible? Is there anything we missed off the list? Let us know your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below. 

Credit: Free photo by John Arano on Unsplash