The Do’s and Don’ts of Managing a Sports Injury

If you’re an athlete or someone who just enjoys a round of your favorite sport, prioritizing your health and safety is key to staying active. Injuries of any kind can lead to serious repercussions, so if you’ve been hurt while playing sports, plan on visiting a chiropractor right away. Kouimanis Chiropractic provides effective solutions to your pain. Here’s how you should handle a sports-related injury. 

Do: Take Action Right Away

Anytime you’re injured, you shouldn’t wait around. Get the injury checked out by a trusted health professional, such as a chiropractor. There are times when an injury is much more severe than it seems. You may have minimal pain or swelling, but if left on its own, the injury can affect your mobility in the long run. Let our chiropractic experts examine the injury. We’ll help you decide what types of treatments will help you heal and regain your strength.

Do: Know What Kind of Pain You Have

Injuries can vary widely depending on the person. Pay attention to your symptoms and note how you feel. For instance, if you have numbness or tingling, you need to get it checked out as soon as possible. Numbness sometimes indicates nerve damage or compression of some kind. Other symptoms, such as a pulled muscle, may not be as serious, but still requires attention. Knowing what kind of injury you have is essential to the way you recover. 

Don’t: Attempt to Treat it On Your Own

At-home measures are helpful, but anti-inflammatory drugs and ice packs can only go so far. When you have a significant injury that’s causing swelling and pain, you need to talk to a professional. Sports injuries tend to be serious because they result from heavy impact or falls. Visiting a chiropractor can help move the recovery process along. Dr. Kouimanis will examine the injury and decide if you should try massage therapy or chiropractic. Both of these options are very beneficial for athletes. Chiropractic improves mobility and reduces inflammation, while massage therapy increases circulation to the affected area. With the help of our skilled chiropractor, you’ll feel significantly better.  

Don’t: Exercise Even if You Feel Pain

Some athletes believe they can “push through the pain,” so they finish that final lap or continue the game despite an injury. But in truth, you should stop the moment something feels off. Don’t continue to exercise: take a break and visit a health professional. Continuing to play despite an injury can lead to more severe pain, increased stiffness, and a longer road to recovery. Your best option is to allow yourself to heal. 

Call Us for An Appointment

If you play sports, injuries are bound to happen at some point or another. While we can’t always prevent every injury that happens, we can prepare ourselves to treat it before it puts our health at risk. Kouimanis Chiropractic provides the treatments you need to feel better and get back out on the field. Call us today to schedule an appointment with the best chiropractor in Crown Point!