No Pain, No Gain?
A recent study shows that adults who regularly exercise have a lower likelihood of experiencing chronic pain.
Too often athletes brush off a sports injury, hoping for it to get better over time even when it affects their daily lives and athletic performance. Does this sound like you?
If you have an injury that isn’t improving, it’s time to see a sports injury specialist before permanent damage is done.And if you’re not convinced yet, here are five signs that you should consider seeing a sports injury specialist.
1. You Can’t Put Weight on the Injured Area
This is something that typically happens with an elbow, foot, and knee injury. An injured ACL, MCL, or UCL can sometimes heal on its own if given the proper rest.
But if you’re finding that you can’t put weight on your knee or foot, or you struggle to pick something up without pain in your elbow after an extended rest period, a sports injury specialist can help.
Chronic knee pain may also point to Osteoarthritis, which is a common yet incurable form of arthritis. A knee injury specialist can assist with a hyaluronic acid injection, lubricating the joint and reducing pain.
2. You’re Seeking Preventative Methods
Athletes and people with active lifestyles are aware of the high risk of injuries. If you want to get one step ahead and work to prevent any injuries, a sports injury prevention specialist can help you do just that.
You need to understand nutrition, appropriate equipment, effective warm-up, and cool-down methods, and the demands of exercise on your body. Seeking out a sports medicine doctor in your area sets you up with all the knowledge to keep hitting the slopes, conquering the marathons, and doing what you love, safely.
3. You’re Suffering From a Chronic Injury
Are you shrugging off an old, chronic injury with the deflated acceptance that it’s just the way it is? There are options out there that can drastically reduce pain and discomfort, and sometimes even resolve the injury completely. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about and experiment with specialized treatments on the advice of experts.
If tennis elbow is getting you down, platelet-rich plasma can provide some relief, for example. You can expect customized care for pain management and rehabilitation.
4. You Want to Improve Your Athletic Performance
There’s no denying that old or acute injuries and chronic pain severely affect your athletic performance. Finding sustainable methods of managing injuries in a safe way helps to improve your performance.
In addition, a sports injury specialist can help you to find a balance by restoring movement and function as well as preventing further injury.
5. You’re Seeking Non-Surgical Treatment
Have you gone for an MRI for knee or shoulder pain only to find out that you need surgery? This is extremely daunting and you’re no doubt worried about heading in for surgery, long recovery times, and a possible end to your sports days.
But MRIs can lie. While they are very effective, they can miss non-surgical causes of knee and shoulder pain. A lot of shoulder and knee pain can be treated non-surgically. And with the correct diagnosis and treatment from a knee or shoulder sports injury specialist, you can avoid invasive treatments that can leave you worse off.
Visiting a Sports Injury Specialist in Portland, Oregon
If you have found yourself nodding your head or able to relate one of these five points above, it’s time to see a sports injury specialist.
At Sports Health Northwest we have a team of specialists to assist you with customized treatments and expert knowledge. Contact us today for a healthier, happier, and more active life.
