Pain is synonymous with sports and a standard criticism seen amongst athletes as it's incessantly related to a sports injury the place pain and damage each intrude with peak efficiency. When injured athletes search for medical consideration their predominant aim is to return to their workouts and tournaments as rapidly as doable.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Smruti Bhonsle, Consultant Anaesthesia and Pain Management Specialist at Nexus Day Surgery Centre, shared, “Some of the common Musculoskeletal issues identified in athletes are shoulder injuries, tennis elbow, back or neck pain, ACL and meniscal tears, shin splints, stress fractures, and ankle ligament injuries. For athletes to train and compete at peak performance levels, it is necessary to manage their pain efficiently and effectively as well as build up their training in such a way that they maintain their competitive edge.”

Pain administration in an athlete

Pain administration is a pivotal situation for athletes who prepare and compete on the highest efficiency ranges. Dr Smruti Bhonsle suggested, “Pain management should be based not only on the anatomical injury but physiological and psychosocial influences on the individual's pain, and should be focused on providing optimal recovery and return to play.”

Talking about quick administration of ache i.e. RICE and Splinting, she stated, “If pain is experienced after exercise the remedy for any soreness is to “RICE” relaxation, chilly compresses, elevation and cut back the size of time spent exercising. Pain after train or sport means one thing is just not proper. Either the warm-up and stretching resulting in the game should not ample or the coaching obtained for that specific train must be modified. Icing is an efficient technique of treating a sore location. Icing is necessary first assist after any damage. After bodily exertion, an ice pack or ice therapeutic massage ought to be used for 20 minutes. The conventional technique of as much as 5 days of ice adopted by warmth is okay for any minor damage. We really feel that ice is in your aspect but when the discomfort persists regardless of the usage of ice, extra important considerations could current, and you must see a physician.”

What Next?

Dr Smruti Bhonsle highlighted, “If the athlete must play after a minor injury the pain can be managed in additional ways like massage, analgesic sprays, taping, braces and local injections, trigger point release and dry needling.”

Conditioning to keep away from ache

According to Dr Smruti Bhonsle, “For a competitive sportsman, the body needs to be conditioned to the sport with the right training, appropriate nutrition, hydration, and electrolyte balance. It is crucial to warm up and stretch before any sport. It is vital to maintain aerobic capacity or stamina while resting a body part Some workouts which do not produce discomfort. For example, if your knee hurts, it is ok to continue exercising your upper extremities or even lower extremity exercises that do not worsen the condition, such as swimming or aqua jogging.” She recommended:

• Warm down - To keep away from aches and pains after exercising is to heat down by shifting the joint or extremity by an exercise like swimming or biking. Typically numerous workouts specifically stretching, vary of movement, strengthening, and proprioceptive play a task and all of these have to be integrated for proper conditioning and subsequently avoiding ache.
• OTC medicines - Using over-the-counter ache medicines and anti-inflammatories at all times offers fast aid however ought to be averted typically. these drugs may cause points with the kidneys and liver so at all times observe your physician's directions
• Non-pharmacological Pain Management - This ought to be thought-about within the earliest levels of ache and is essential in ache administration past the acute part. These embody leisure methods equivalent to mindfulness remedy for ache Yoga and tai-chi. Optimising sleep and diet can also be important.