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www.noRtHweStHeAltH.com spOnsOR COntent Proper attention can help heal strains, sprains and pulled muscles that occur as you participate in your favorite athletic activities. From childhood, athletes are often told to shake off pain and push through for the sake of the game. As a result, many adults are left with injuries that never heal, causing chronic pain and disability later in life. But paying attention to your body can pay dividends in the big picture. Injuries such as pulled muscles and simple sprains can often be treated at home through the use of traditional remedies that your mom may have recommended when you were just a teenager. And recovery can often be summed up in one simple word: RICE. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the following recommendations are very effective for treating a minor injury that is not causing sharp, shooting pain: • Rest – Resist the urge to participate in activity if you have experienced an injury. Take a few days off. Use a crutch if you need to take the weight off of a foot or a leg. Avoid overexertion so you can heal more quickly and get back to doing the things you love. • Ice – Apply a cold compress to the area of injury several times a day. Leave the cold pack in place for about 20 minutes at a time. • Compression – Reduce swelling by applying pressure with an elastic bandage on the injured area of the body. Talk with your doctor about what will help you heal most effectively. • Elevation – Resting your injured limb above your heart will help reduce swelling. Use a pillow to prop up the injured area while you're reading, sleeping or watching TV. Cold vs. hot Cold therapy is an effective treatment to ease acute injuries that have occurred while playing sports. A collision, fall or other event that causes blunt trauma is usually best treated with ice. Alternatively, heat may be more helpful to treat areas that are at risk of accumulating chronic pain. If you know that your quadriceps are often susceptible to muscle strain, heat them gently before going for a run or playing a game of basketball. Get in the right gear The right athletic equipment may help protect your entire body from common injuries. Invest in well-fitting shoes intended for each sport. Wear a snug helmet when appropriate, and talk with your coaches and doctors about any other recommendations to protect your orthopedic health the next time you get in the game. Your team is counting on you. Time to see the doctor? If you are experiencing significant pain or swelling as the result of athletic injury, you may need to see a doctor who specializes in sports medicine. Signs that you have an injury that requires medical attention include: • Chronic pain in a joint or muscle • Instability in the joints • Intense pain • Numbness • Unusual swelling Your primary care doctor may be able to treat your condition or recommend a specialist, like an orthopedist, who can help. If a joint injury or other orthopedic condition is keeping you from enjoying life the way you used to, you don't have to travel far from home. Northwest Health is a convenient choice for orthopedic services. In the event of a sports injury To learn more about our services, visit www.NorthwestHealth.com/orthopedic-services today! 4 | YOu At YOuR Best | YOuAtYOuRBest.nWAOnline.COM August - Men's HeAltH | sunDAY, JulY 25, 2021