This article explores potential ways you may be able to speed up your recovery from a sports injury and get back into the game. For personalised advice or to book an appointment with a physio in Mount Gravatt, contact our team at A Pinch of Prevention today.
What is a Sports Injury?
A sports injury is any injury you sustain while participating in a sport. This may be playing a contact sport like football, hockey, or boxing, or low-impact sports like golf, swimming, or even walking.
Common Sports Injuries
Some sports injuries are more common in certain sports than others. Some sports injuries that physiotherapists, sports physiotherapists, and other health professionals see are:
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- Muscle Strains
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Elbow injuries such as tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
- Knee injuries such as runner’s knee
- Torn ligaments
- Meniscal tears
- Shin splints
- Cuts
- Bruises
How Can I Speed Up My Sports Injury Recovery?
While some sports injuries may resolve quickly, others may linger and take weeks or months to heal. Whether you’re a professional athlete, a weekend player, or even just somebody who enjoys taking a walk or going for a morning swim, it’s understandable if you want to get back to your sport as soon as possible. Some techniques you may want to try include:
1. Ice
One of the first steps many people take when dealing with an injury is to ice the affected area. Ice can help reduce swelling and assist with pain relief. However, while ice may be useful for acute injuries such as sprains and strains, it may not be the best solution for chronic pain or muscle tightness. If you’re unsure whether icing your injury may aid in or hinder your recovery, it may be best to consult with a professional such as a physiotherapist.
2. Rest
While rest is often one of the hardest things for an athlete to do, it’s an essential part of the healing process. If you’ve gone from playing a sport every day to suddenly taking extended time off, it may be difficult and feel unnatural, but it’s crucial to avoid making the injury worse. Resting the injury gives your bones, joints, and muscles time to recover, and if you try to use them again too quickly, you may set your recovery back.
3. Massage
A sports massage or deep tissue massage may be beneficial if you have a muscular injury, as these massages aim to release muscle tension, improve circulation, and assist with healing in the affected muscles. However, massage too soon after an injury can set the athlete back further. To be sure, get your injury assessed first by a qualified physiotherapist, who can help plan your recovery for you.
4. Hot and Cold Treatment
The thought behind hot and cold treatment is going from one extreme temperature to the other will improve blood flow, which is a crucial element of the healing process. While you don’t need to jump from a spa or sauna straight into an ice bath, an at-home hot and cold treatment might look like taking a dip in a cold pool followed by a hot shower, or even alternating between hot and cold water in the same shower session.
5. Physiotherapy
If your sports injury is still painful or keeping you from playing sports after trying the above, it may be time to seek care from a physiotherapist. A physiotherapist should assist by discussing your injury and your goals with you in an effort to develop a personalised treatment plan. Depending on your unique needs, this may involve manual therapy techniques and helping you with stretches and specific exercises designed to promote healing without aggravating the injury further. Related Link: Your Guide To Physiotherapy in Australia
Aiming to Assist With A Pinch of Prevention
Whether you have a sports injury that’s still healing or you’re looking for a way to potentially reduce your risk of developing a sports injury, our team may be able to help. At A Pinch of Prevention, we offer physiotherapy, naturopathy, and acupuncture all in one location here in Mount Gravatt. From aiming to reduce pain to strengthening muscles in an effort to prevent it in the first place, we’re here to help you with your goals. Contact us today!
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