Sports injury treatments are widely needed when you consider that there are more than 8.6 million sports-related injuries each year, and 20% of those injuries are bone fractures or other serious injuries, according to the CDC.
A sports injury can take you off the field for a few days or it can end your season. Most athletes are eager to play again, whether they want to compete in high-level competitions or simply enjoy the camaraderie and exercise on the field. However, if you don’t take enough time to heal your injury, you could reinjure it or permanently damage your body.
These sports injury treatments can’t promise an immediate recovery, but that can help you work to get healthier. If you recently suffered a sports injury, consider these options to help you heal.
#1) Physical Therapy
One of the most common ways to treat sports injuries is with physical therapy. Your therapist will walk you through a series of exercises to stretch your muscles, improve your range of motion, and build back your strength. Physical therapy is often used after serious injuries where the athlete needs to get back to the same competitive level as before the break or tear. However, it can be valuable in all sporting levels.
#2) Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is a popular treatment amongst athletes to help a variety of problems. Chiropractors can help with multiple types of injuries, not just back problems. For example, they can work to reduce pain in knee problems, sprains, strains, dislocations, and even fractures. Chiropractic care takes a whole-body approach to healing, making it one of the top sports injury treatments on this list.
For more information on how chiropractic care can help athletes, watch this interview featuring Florida Wellness on Daytime on WFLA News Channel 8.
Related: What Can Chiropractic Care Do for Sports Injuries?
#3) Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is another option for sports injury treatments. This practice does more than help the body relax and reduce muscle tension. It can also help with pain relief, improve your range of motion, and improve circulation. At Florida Wellness, we offer a specific sports massage that targets muscle-tendon junctions subject to repetitive movements. We can also focus on the injured muscle group to help with recovery.
#4) Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is an up-and-coming option for sports injury treatments. This is the process of applying cold air or mist in order to reduce swelling or inflammation. Depending on the method, cryotherapy can be used to treat acute injuries that are in the process of healing or chronic problems (like arthritis) to reduce long-term pain. Many NFL and NBA players, including LeBron James, have tried cryotherapy.
#5) Rest
This is the treatment that athletes need the most, but few have the patience for. Resting your injured body can help it recover faster. Even if you want to get back in the game, waiting a few days can help you come back completely and reduce the chances of reinjury. Your team needs you playing at 100%, not fighting through at 50%.
Work With Specialists on Sports Injury Treatments
If you recently suffered a sports injury, seek out medical help – no matter how superficial it may seem. There may be underlying problems or sensitivity that is more serious than you first think.
Request an appointment with Florida Wellness Medical Group and tell us your preferred time and location to see a medical specialist. Let us know that you have a sports injury that needs to be treated and we will find a way to help you.