With Fall rapidly approaching, football, soccer, and basketball seasons are all starting or have started. With sports often come injuries. Here are a few of the most common athletic injuries, as well as some simple ways to treat them.
Common Injuries in sports are ankle sprains, dehydration, muscle strains and pulls, and nose injuries.
If you or a child experience a sprain, strain, or an injury to a muscle, ligament, or joint, remember to RICE -
Rest - keep the injured body part supported and avoid using it for 2-3 days.
Ice - apply ice to the injured area for 20 minutes every two hours.
Compression - use a bandage to apply pressure
Elevate - keep the injured area above your heart, if possible
Also, remember to do no HARM -
Heat - don’t apply heat to an injured area
Alcohol - avoid alcohol because it can increase swelling
Running - don’t exercise!
Massage - avoid massaging or rubbing the area, which can cause prolonged swelling
If a bloody nose occurs, have the injured athlete sit down, lean their head forward, pinch nostrils, and hold your nose for 10 minutes. The bleeding should stop in less than 30 minutes; otherwise, contact a doctor.
It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention if someone experiences a loss of consciousness, neck injuries, eye injuries, or broken bones. It is also important to come visit our office if you are still experiencing pain at the site of your injury after a few days.
Although injuries are common in sports, there are ways that you can prevent them. Always make sure athletes warm up before intense physical activity, wear proper footwear and safety gear when participating, and make sure to stretch after practice or game.