Top Private Trainers Know How to Reduce the Damage from Injury
Swelling: Your body reacting to Injury - is it beneficial?
In general, swelling can refer to any abnormal enlargement of a body part. Acute swelling typcially is referencing short term swelling that has only begun within 24 hours of the injury. It can be a bad sign if the swelling occurs within the first 2 hours. It is probably associated with hemarthrosis, which can be a dangerous situation, and it should be checked out by a physician just to be sure. The better private trainers in Boulder, CO will be aware of this type of scenario and they will generally educate any serious athlete so they are also aware.
Swelling from Exercise Induced Injury - Why is it so bad?
Acute injuries are easy to recognize: first comes the pain, and then comes the swelling which actually leads to more tissue damage. Chronic, or long term injuries, can take weeks, or even months, to develop, but it is the same story: first comes the pain, and then comes the swelling. Did I already say that? Well, this cycle is as old as the first life on earth so it is well deserved.
The body always responds to an injury with a predictable inflammatory response, as the first step towards healing. Redness, heat, swelling and pain are associated with this first stage. The pain and swelling can keep the athlete from using the injured part, serving to protect it from further injury. Most people will try to push through this pain but that is seriously ill advised - it could lead to a much more serious injury that turns into a chronic condition which is the number one thing to avoid.
Swelling is a normal reaction of the body to an injury. Sometimes, though, the body goes overboard, and the inflammatory response is excessive and can actually begin to cause more damage than good. This is more frequent than many people think is the case and, as a result, they will end up with a longer healing curve and more scar tissue than those who take this seriously.
Swelling is the Enemy!
"If not treated appropriately, the swelling can become chronic, or long term. Chronic swelling leads to tissues becoming more rigid and less pliable than their healthy counterpart. Just trying to hammer the point home - if you do nothing you are a hack who is not willing to take care of him/herself and you have no business calling yourself an athlete. Managing injuries correctly, actively and intelligently is a common sense part of any athletic focus.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT SWELLING?
In the acute, or early phase, remember PRICE:
If your swelling is chronic, or lasts longer than 2-3 weeks, you should see your doctor. Your doctor will be able to recommend therapy, medication or exercise to resolve the swelling. Remember, swelling is the body's reaction to an injury; if the swelling is still present, so is the injury.
RETURNING TO PLAY
Kluchurosky says, "You should be able to perform multiple repetitions of the activities your sport requires (jumps, sprints, kicks, etc) without an increase in swelling or pain in the injured area before attempting to return to competition."
Protection can mean immobilization with a brace, or a wrap, or even just staying off the body part.
Rest means not moving the body part in a painful way. Movement is good, and can increase healing, but it should be pain free at this stage.
Leaving ice on longer actually reverses the effect it has, and may increase swelling. Do not use heat for the first 72 hours; heat will increase the swelling.
Compression, with an ace wrap. Your athletic trainer or doctor can show you how to wrap the body part to minimize swelling.
Elevation, or resting with the injury above heart level, to encourage swelling to return towards the body, instead of collecting in the extremities where it is difficult to get rid of.
P = Protection from further damage
R = Rest to avoid prolonging irritation
I = Ice (cold) for controlling bleeding, edema, and pain
C = Compression for support and controlling swelling
E = Elevation for decreasing bleeding and edema
You are not ready to return to play until all the swelling is gone.
In general, swelling can refer to any abnormal enlargement of a body part. Acute swelling typcially is referencing short term swelling that has only begun within 24 hours of the injury. It can be a bad sign if the swelling occurs within the first 2 hours. It is probably associated with hemarthrosis, which can be a dangerous situation, and it should be checked out by a physician just to be sure. The better private trainers in Boulder, CO will be aware of this type of scenario and they will generally educate any serious athlete so they are also aware.
Swelling from Exercise Induced Injury - Why is it so bad?
Acute injuries are easy to recognize: first comes the pain, and then comes the swelling which actually leads to more tissue damage. Chronic, or long term injuries, can take weeks, or even months, to develop, but it is the same story: first comes the pain, and then comes the swelling. Did I already say that? Well, this cycle is as old as the first life on earth so it is well deserved.
The body always responds to an injury with a predictable inflammatory response, as the first step towards healing. Redness, heat, swelling and pain are associated with this first stage. The pain and swelling can keep the athlete from using the injured part, serving to protect it from further injury. Most people will try to push through this pain but that is seriously ill advised - it could lead to a much more serious injury that turns into a chronic condition which is the number one thing to avoid.
Swelling is a normal reaction of the body to an injury. Sometimes, though, the body goes overboard, and the inflammatory response is excessive and can actually begin to cause more damage than good. This is more frequent than many people think is the case and, as a result, they will end up with a longer healing curve and more scar tissue than those who take this seriously.
Swelling is the Enemy!
"If not treated appropriately, the swelling can become chronic, or long term. Chronic swelling leads to tissues becoming more rigid and less pliable than their healthy counterpart. Just trying to hammer the point home - if you do nothing you are a hack who is not willing to take care of him/herself and you have no business calling yourself an athlete. Managing injuries correctly, actively and intelligently is a common sense part of any athletic focus.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT SWELLING?
In the acute, or early phase, remember PRICE:
If your swelling is chronic, or lasts longer than 2-3 weeks, you should see your doctor. Your doctor will be able to recommend therapy, medication or exercise to resolve the swelling. Remember, swelling is the body's reaction to an injury; if the swelling is still present, so is the injury.
RETURNING TO PLAY
Kluchurosky says, "You should be able to perform multiple repetitions of the activities your sport requires (jumps, sprints, kicks, etc) without an increase in swelling or pain in the injured area before attempting to return to competition."
Protection can mean immobilization with a brace, or a wrap, or even just staying off the body part.
Rest means not moving the body part in a painful way. Movement is good, and can increase healing, but it should be pain free at this stage.
Leaving ice on longer actually reverses the effect it has, and may increase swelling. Do not use heat for the first 72 hours; heat will increase the swelling.
Compression, with an ace wrap. Your athletic trainer or doctor can show you how to wrap the body part to minimize swelling.
Elevation, or resting with the injury above heart level, to encourage swelling to return towards the body, instead of collecting in the extremities where it is difficult to get rid of.
P = Protection from further damage
R = Rest to avoid prolonging irritation
I = Ice (cold) for controlling bleeding, edema, and pain
C = Compression for support and controlling swelling
E = Elevation for decreasing bleeding and edema
You are not ready to return to play until all the swelling is gone.