There are many different conditions that Denver chiropractors see on a regular basis. A type of condition that is very common in Core Family Chiropractic is sports injuries. Crossfit gyms, MMA, and recreational centers are scattered all over Denver and the surrounding communities. Colorado is one of the most physically active states in the United States therefore many people have the unfortunate experience of being injured at some point in their lives. There are many things we can do to decrease chances at injury that was covered briefly in another post, but we want to inform the community about things you MUST do after a sports injury.
Common Sports Injuries
- Knee - Tears and tendinosis/tendinitis
- Ankle - Sprains and pain
- Shoulder - Bursitis and Rotator Cuff Injuries
- Elbow - Medial and Lateral Epicondylitis (Commonly known as Golfer’s Elbow or Tennis Elbow)
- Spine - Low Back Pain and Neck Pain
- Head - Concussion, Headaches, Fractures
4 Things You Must Do After a Sports Injury
- Rest
- Do not attempt to “work through” or “deal with” the pain. If you are feeling pain, listen to your body and stop the activity.
- Ice
- During an acute injury there will be inflammation, swelling, and pain. Ice will help reduce the pain and swelling in the injury region. Apply for 15-20 minutes at least three times per day.
- Compression
- Compressing a sports injury with a bandage will help reduce swelling. If you are unfamiliar with how to wrap a certain body part or injury, contact our chiropractor. If the injury is improperly wrapped or wrapped to tightly, more swelling or pain could be produced.
- Elevation
- If possible, keep the injured body part elevated while resting. Keeping the injured body part above the level of the heart will help reduce swelling.
Remember - R.I.C.E. after Acute Injuries
These are important steps to take after an acute sports injury, whether it be from running, biking, lifting, or crossfit type exercise. Following these steps will minimize pain and swelling directly after the injury but further steps may be needed. Depending on the severity of the injury and it’s location, it’s important to see a doctor of chiropractic who can do a comprehensive exam to establish the extent of the injury. Chiropractic care, physical therapy, and even surgery may be necessary for certain conditions and a doctor of chiropractic can find the root cause of the problem and get the patient to the appropriate specialist.
Many people try to battle through back pain and extremity pain or hope the condition resolves on its own which may make the injured region susceptible to further injury in the future. If your sports injury is still producing pain or discomfort, schedule an appointment with our chiropractor today!