Sports injuries come in all shapes and forms, and various injuries call for unique treatment and recovery regimens. If you have been injured in a game or during training, it is best to see a physiotherapist first, so you know the extent of your injury and begin your recovery.
How do you ensure your treatment plan works out as planned and your injury takes the shortest time to heal? Here are a few tested-and-tried measures to take:
- Check with a pain management professional
Pain is the first thing you should think of eliminating. If you experience pain in and around the hurt tissue, bone, or joint, it means you are still in the early stages of recovery. Additionally, pain can make it difficult to go about some aspects of your treatment plan, potentially slowing down your recovery process. A qualified and experienced pain management doctor, such as the ones at Seattle Pain Relief, can assist with the pain side of your injury and make sure it doesn’t cause you sleepless nights or get in the way of a smooth recovery.
- Eat healthy
Nutrition is often overlooked when it comes to injury rehabilitation, but it is a crucial component that requires special attention. A well-planned injury nutrition regime can help provide your body with the compounds it needs to activate the self-repair process. Protein is perhaps the most important nutrient to include in your diet plan as it helps fix and strengthen torn muscles and connective tissues. While you are at it, make sure to incorporate micronutrients and essential nutrients such as Vitamins A and D, antioxidants, and minerals like zinc, copper, iron, calcium, magnesium, and manganese.
- Try out contrast path hydrotherapy
Many people get confused over whether to use ice or apply heat to their injuries. Apparently, the most effective thing to do is alternate cold and hot therapy. Both cold and heat have a part to play when it comes to treating injuries. The use of ice is referred to as cryotherapy, and its role in contrast path therapy is to cause vasoconstriction, which in return, lowers inflammation and reduces pain signals. Heat, on the other hand, acts as a vasodilator. It expands blood vessels within the injured tissue and increases circulation, reducing pain and relieving muscle ache.
- Get plenty of sleep
The recommended sleep duration per day is seven to nine hours. If you don’t get that, you are putting yourself at risk for several health issues that can make your recovery more difficult. Researchers have also found a positive correlation between sleep and injury recovery. Sleep plays a vital role in tissue and cell regeneration. At rest, the body gets the resources it needs to secrete hormones responsible for the immune system, energy production, and connective tissue repair regulation. For the best results, adhere to a consistent sleep routine.
Endnote
The recovery process following a sports injury is determined by the location and severity of the injury and the victim’s ability to abide by their doctor’s instructions. However, with the above tips, you can expedite your recovery and get back to play the sport you love.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
