Warning Signs of an Injury
By Sara Butler
How do you know if that little tumble you took resulted in an injury or not? Well, your body gives you subtle (and not so subtle) signs that it’s hurt, you just need to know what to look for. Here are some of the signs that you have injured yourself and should get in to see your chiropractor.
Can You Tell Right Away?
Some injuries will be evident right away, while others may take time to show up. The sneaky injuries can get worse with time, and any injury can lead to chronic problems that will be more difficult to treat and take longer to resolve. If you suspect you’re injured, then you should get in to see your chiropractor as fast as you can in order to begin treatment.
Injury Warning Signs
There are a few things that almost always indicate an injury you should seek treatment for. They include:
- Joint pain – Any joint pain is a problem, but some joints are more susceptible to injury than others. The wrist, elbow, knee, and ankle shouldn’t be ignored if they begin to be painful, especially if the pain lasts for more than 48 hours.
- Swelling – Almost all injuries will cause swelling, and it usually is obvious to the naked eye. Occasionally, you may not be able to see swelling but feel it. Swelling is normally accompanied by heat, pain, and redness.
- Tenderness – If a simple touch causes pain on any part of your body, then you may have an injury. This is especially true if you can touch the same spot on the other side of your body and it is not painful.
- Reduced range of motion – Sometimes swelling may not be obvious, but can cause trouble with the range of motion in a joint. If there is reduced range of motion, you can expect there is also swelling in the joint and you likely have an injury that requires your chiropractor’s attention.
- Weakness – If you’re unsure whether you’re experiencing weakness, compare it to the place on the other side of your body. If there’s a difference in your joint’s ability to support weight, then you need to have the injury checked out.
If You Get Hurt
When something occurs and you feel like you may have injured yourself, you should:
- Stop what you’re doing right away
- Wrap the injured body part in a compression bandage
- Apply ice or something cold, such as a bag of frozen vegetables
- Elevate the injured part
- Consult with your chiropractor as soon as you can
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.