For people who turn to exercise to maintain their health, work off stress, or just have a ton of fun, being sidelined by a sports-related injury can be monumentally frustrating. Your first instinct may be to dial up your favorite podiatry office in Springfield, VA and book an appointment, but the following at-home treatments for sports-related injuries may be just what you need to get back on your feet and back in action!
Wrap It Up
One of the first things you’ll want to do following a sports-related injury is to immobilize the injured area. Use an elastic bandage or splint to keep the injured area supported and secure but keep an eye on the compression; any signs of tingling, numbness, or additional swelling may mean you need to loosen the wrap.
Apply Ice
Icing an injury will help reduce swelling and discomfort at the same time. To safely and effectively fight inflammation, your Springfield podiatrist, Dr. Paul Ross recommends that you:
- Avoid putting ice directly on the skin. Instead, place ice in a bag and then wrap the bag (or an ice pack) in a towel.
- Apply the ice for no more than 15 minutes at a time. Once your skin returns to its normal temperature, you can start icing it again.
- Listen to your body. If your skin feels too cold, it probably is.
Elevate
Whenever possible, make sure the injured area stays elevated. Stacking some pillows on your bed or tucking a couch cushion under an injured ankle or foot will help reduce blood flow to the injury and allow it the time and space it needs to kick-start the healing process.
Rest
Above all, give your body time to rest! It’s hard to sit out during the playoffs or to take time off from your regular gym routine, but a small sacrifice now could lead to a much more satisfying recovery down the road.
Hopefully these at-home treatments are all you need to heal up, but some sports-related injuries require a visit to the podiatrist. Click here to schedule an appointment at our Springfield, Virginia podiatry office and we’ll do everything we can to get you back in the game!
This information is not meant as medical advice. It is provided solely for education. Our podiatry office in Springfield would be pleased to discuss your unique circumstances and needs as they relate to these topics.
The Podiatry Center
Springfield, VA's Top Rated Podiatrist Specializing In Bunion Pain
The Podiatry Center and Dr. Paul Ross treat all medical and surgical foot pain, ankle pain, heel pain and sport injuries. Dr. Paul Ross, a licensed podiatrist in Springfield, VA can help bring you relief from foot pain.
Dr. Ross and our Springfield, VA podiatry office offers the most effective and state-of-the-art, highest quality podiatry care with a smile, to patients in our local community, including: Springfield, VA, Arlington, VA,Fairfax, VA, Burke, VA, Gaithersburg, MD, Potomac, MD, Annandale, VA, Chevy Chase, MD, Bethesda, MD, Woodbridge, VA, Rockville, MD, Silver Spring, MD and Alexandria, VA.
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