I have always been one of those people who is committed to their overall health, but a few years ago, I realized that there had to be something I could do to make things right. I was experiencing some serious back pain, and I didn't know how to improve. Fortunately, I started working hard to correct the issue, and I could see a significant difference right away. I was able to move more normally and eliminate back pain, and it was great to see how much the changes helped. Check out this website to find out how the right medical specialist could help you.
Signs Your Running Injury Requires A Doctor's Care
Most runners experience soreness and overuse injuries at least occasionally. Some injuries like shin splints and minor tendinitis will clear up without extensive treatment as long as you rest and ice the area. But other injuries require the attention of a sports medicine doctor. How do you know the difference? Well, if any of the following are true, you should probably make a doctor's appointment.
The pain persists even when you're not running.
When the pain starts persisting even when you're not running, this generally means your injury is on the more severe side and requires a doctor's care. With some injuries, you might feel the pain when you first step out of bed, or after you've been stationary. With other injuries, the pain might be worse after you walk or move around a bit. In either case, persistent pain can impact your quality of life, not just your running plans, and it needs to be addressed.
The pain does not respond to NSAIDs.
If you take a dose of NSAID pain relievers, like ibuprofen or naproxen, they will usually mask or dull the pain of a minor injury or strain. If your pain persists even after you take these medications, that's a sign you have a more serious injury — probably to a bone, tendon, or ligament. A doctor's care will ensure you don't make the injury worse by continuing to do things that aggravate it.
You can see swelling in the area.
Most running injuries are associated with some internal swelling. Ice and rest will help with this. When the swelling is severe enough that you can actually see it through the skin, though, that usually means you're worse off. A doctor will figure out what's going on internally to cause such obvious external swelling.
Your range of motion is decreased.
Sometimes a running injury will decrease your range of motion, which just means it will keep you from bending or extending your joint all of the way. This usually implies that the injury is more serious. It also means you'll need to get care before the decreased range of motion causes you to over-stress another one of your joints.
If any of the above statements are true, don't delay seeing a sports medicine doctor. Not all running injuries require professional care, but it's always a good idea to seek care if you're unsure. Contact a sports medicine service to learn more.