Are you passionate about sports? If so, you might have gone through a couple of injuries during your lifetime. Some might be small, recoverable within a day or two, while others are a little more severe, taking weeks if not months to heal. Regardless, any type of injury is never fun to deal with, and if you’re a professional athlete, having an injury simply means your performance is impeded and your time training is cut short.
So, what should you do if you get a sports-related injury? Here’s what you need to do right away to recover quickly:
1. Ice Your Injury
You probably already know this, but an excellent first step to take right away is icing your injury. This step should be a no-brainer, but it’s very easy to forget in the heat of the moment. Ice will help reduce swelling and ease the pain of your injury.
2. Rest
After icing your injury, you always need to rest. If you are injured, your body is going to need time to recover, and this is the time to let your body do that. Don’t push yourself if it’s not necessary, and don’t go running again until your injury is healed. Additionally, don’t try to do too much at once. If you feel better one day, don’t try to run 10 miles again just because you feel a little better.
3. Move the Pain
Even if you’re injured, it’s good to get your body moving. You don’t have to do a lot, but you should try to stretch and do some light exercise. Even if you’re not able to make it to the gym, there are many other light exercises you can do, such as push-ups, squats, and lunges. This will help increase blood flow to your injury and speed up the healing process.
4. Undergo Physiotherapy
If your injury is bad enough, you should really go see a physiotherapist. A physiotherapist can help you with the gradual recovery process by doing specific exercises and stretches to help your injury heal. There are several exercises you can do at home, but if you’re suffering from a sports injury, it’s a good idea to speak to a professional to get you back on your feet in the quickest time possible.
Conclusion
No matter what method you choose, don’t rush it. You might be frustrated to know you’re not able to do what you want to do, but if you rush your recovery, you might end up causing yourself more stress, pain, and even further injury. If you’re taking your time, you’ll be able to recover much faster without any injuries cropping up. That being said, if you’ve suffered through a sports injury and are not sure what to do next, or if you’re looking for a way to get back on your feet and get back to your sport of choice, the best thing you can do is seek a physiotherapist. Not only will they help you get back to your sport as quickly as possible, but they also ensure that you are doing the right exercises to help your body heal.
Invigor Health offers physiotherapy, movement screen, and running assessments to help athletes maintain their performance level and make the most out of their bodies. If you are looking for affordable physio in Bondi Junction, get in touch with us today!
