If you’ve sustained a sports injury, you may be unsure of the best ways to address your pain immediately after it happens. Certain issues, such as severe neck or back pain, should be addressed by a medical professional immediately. For others, healing may be achieved through a mix of home remedies and therapeutic care practices. Here are some steps you can take after experiencing an injury on the field.

What to Do After a Sports Injury

1. Seek Medical Attention

While minor injuries won’t warrant immediate medical services, issues such as severe bleeding, numbness, tingling, or muscular weakness should be addressed promptly. Because injuries of the head, neck, and spine can be serious, you should also seek care if you have severe neck or back pain, or if you believe you may have sustained a concussion.

2. Apply Pressure

If you’re bleeding, apply pressure to control it. Deep wounds should be checked by a professional and sutured within 24 hours, if needed. Twisted joints can also benefit from pressure. If you’ve sustained an injury at the knee, for instance, keeping a firm grasp on it may help to keep it straight.

3. Use the RICE Method

The RICE method stands for rest, ice, compress, and elevate. This method helps to alleviate pain and swelling across many common sports injuries, such as twisted ankles. Avoid putting weight on the injury for 24 to 48 hours, ice for 20 minutes every two to three hours for two days following the injury, and compress it using an elastic medical bandage. Also, elevate the injured area whenever possible.

4. Keep Notes on the Injury

As you heal, keep a log of symptoms, pain levels, and recovery methods used. This will help you track whether symptoms are improving or becoming more pronounced. Should you notice new or worsening symptoms, such as severe head or back pain, swelling, or dizziness, don’t wait to get medical attention.

5. Consider Professional Care

If an injury continues to linger after you’ve followed the steps above, have it looked at by a professional. While you may not need any serious intervention such as surgery, rehabilitative care, such as laser therapy, chiropractic adjustments, or another type of treatment, can help you make a complete recovery so you can begin playing again.

If you’re feeling the effects of a stubborn sports injury, allow the team at Stroud Chiropractic Clinic to help. Specializing in treatments such as laser therapy and adjustments to alleviate back pain and other injury symptoms, this clinic has more than 33 years of experience serving Randolph County, NC. Explore their full list of services online, or call (336) 434-2107 to make an appointment.