Looking For Sports Injury Treatment in Portland
No matter whether you are a child or an adult, people of all ages can sustain sports-related injuries when they participate in exercise or sports. One may wonder what causes these sports injuries. If one does not exercise regularly or warms up improperly, or plays contact sports, they are more prone to sports injury. If that is what has happened to you, you can get in touch with a Portland sports injuries specialist to learn more about your treatment plan.
What are the different types of sports injuries?
There are many different forms of sports injuries, each with its own symptoms and implications. Some of the most common injuries are fractures (broken bones), dislocations (bone forced out of the socket), sprains (ligament overstretching or tearing), strains (muscle or tendon overstretching or tearing), knee injuries, swollen muscles, Achilles tendon rupture, and rotator cuff injuries (muscle tears affecting shoulder movement).
Treating sports injuries:
In case you are worried about what the treatment plan would look like, people usually go for the RICE approach (rest, ice, compression, elevation) for injuries within the first 24-36 hours in order to reduce discomfort and swelling.
Of course, there are medications as well and prescription and over-the-counter medicines can provide relief to a large extent. If you notice that the symptoms are getting too severe and are getting out of hand, you should seek immediate professional help. Experiencing any breathing difficulties, lightheadedness, or fever also calls for immediate medical help. In case you did not go for medical assistance right after the sports injuries, and the condition has not gotten any better even after two weeks, you should see a doctor.
Preventing sports injuries:
One way you can avoid sports injuries is by starting with a proper warm-up before you start exercising or playing. This would improve your muscular flexibility and limit the danger of overstretching or tearing your muscles. You should also use proper practices for your sport, wear suitable equipment, and avoid overexertion. Moreover, always allow injuries to completely heal before returning to activities, and gradually reintroduce yourself to exercise or sports after you make a full recovery from the injuries.
Final thoughts:
You should contact your doctor if you have swelling or pain with weight-bearing, or if an issue arises in a previous area where you were injured. If RICE treatment does not result in improvement after 24-36 hours, consult a healthcare physician.