Sports injuries are a common occurrence in both amateur and professional athletes. While some injuries may require surgery, many can be treated non-surgically through various methods.
Here are some non-surgical treatments for sports injuries.
Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE)
One of the most common non-surgical treatments for sports injuries is the RICE method. This acronym stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This method is effective for treating many types of injuries, including sprains, strains, and bruises.
Here’s how to apply the RICE method:
- Rest: Avoid using the injured area as much as possible. Use crutches, a sling, or a brace if necessary to keep weight off the injury.
- Ice: Apply ice to the injured area for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Use a cold pack or ice wrapped in a towel. Be sure to leave at least 2 hours between applications.
- Compression: Wrap the injured area with an elastic bandage to help reduce swelling. Make sure the bandage is snug but not too tight.
- Elevation: Elevate the injured area above heart level to help reduce swelling. Prop the area up with pillows or cushions.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is another non-surgical treatment for sports injuries. A physical therapist can design a personalized program of exercises to help strengthen the injured area and improve range of motion.
They can also use various techniques to reduce pain and swelling, such as massage and heat therapy.
Physical therapy is often used to treat injuries such as:
- Sprains and strains
- Tendinitis
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Knee injuries
- Back pain
Chiropractic Care
Because the brain communicates with every part of your body via the spinal cord, when the spine is out of alignment, it can be far more difficult to recover from seemingly unrelated injuries. Whether or not your sports injury directly involves your back, chiropractic care can bring your body into correct balance, making it easier for your injury to heal.
Trigger Point Injections
When a sports injury primarily involves the muscle, trigger point injections are highly effective. The injection contains sarapin — a natural plant-derived anti-inflammatory — that the doctor precisely injects into a muscle knot, helping it relax. Even with more severe sports injuries, the pain relief resulting from a trigger point injection can sometimes last for weeks. During this time, your treatment plan may include other forms of therapy to help with long-term recovery.
Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression is particularly helpful for issues that involve your back and neck. Some of the back and neck issues we can treat with spinal decompression include bulging discs, herniated discs, pinched nerves, spinal stenosis, degenerative discs, sciatica, and post-surgical pain.
If you are looking for a non surgical treatment for a sports injury in Maspeth or any city in New York, call Marchese Integrative Practice today at (718) 899-5433 for a complimentary consultation.
Our chiropractor and medical doctor will customize a treatment plan comprised of one or more of our therapies to help you get back in the game now!