Pain Management Therapies That Can Be Used to Help Heal Athletic Injuries
Whether you’re a professional player or just a casual enthusiast, sports injuries can happen. Injuries can range from a pulled muscle or ligament to a more serious condition, like a sprain or fracture. And, while most people go on to heal uneventfully, some may need additional pain management therapies.
If you’re experiencing pain from a sport injury, these therapies may be able to help.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a non-invasive treatment that aims to relieve people of pain and discomfort from an injury they have sustained. It is also used to help you regain dexterity and improve your mobility.
PT can treat a variety of injuries and conditions including:
- Tennis elbow
- Fractures
- Strained muscles
- Pulled groins
- Shin splints
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
The type of physical therapy needed depends on the mechanism of injury or condition. For example, if you develop arthritis from years of play, your treatment plan would mostly entail strengthening and pain-relieving techniques for the joints through exercise.
Cold Laser Therapy
Laser therapy may seem like an odd choice, but it’s proven to be an effective form of treatment. It’s important to note that it’s not the same laser used in plastic surgery. This type of laser therapy is used specifically for sport injuries.
Cold laser therapy is applied to the injured area to help expedite healing and reduce pain. It can be used for conditions like bursitis, muscle strains, knee pain, back pain, and tendonitis.
Acupuncture Therapy
In some cases, physical therapy may not be enough to reduce painful symptoms. Your doctor may recommend acupuncture as an alternative or in combination with another treatment. Acupuncture is a service that involves a qualified professional inserting tiny needles into the target area to reduce pain. The needles cause minor trauma once they make contact with either the tissue or muscle.
The purpose of acupuncture is to help stimulate the production of endorphins. Endorphins are “feel-good” chemical your body releases when you exercise or feel happy. The goal of acupuncture is to help your body release these chemicals in order to reduce the amount of pain you feel.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care may also be an alternative form of treatment. Chiropractic care involves realignment of your spine, neck, or injured extremity. The goal of chiropractic care is to help relieve symptoms such as inflammation, pain, and discomfort.
When performed by a qualified professional, chiropractic care is effective for many patients. If you choose to undergo chiropractic care, make sure it’s someone your doctor recommends and has appropriate certification.
With proper intervention, sports injuries are treatable. Using these four therapies can help you get back on your feet and back in the game.
