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Most injuries start out small. For runners, this could be stepping off a curb slightly skew while avoiding a car. For others, this could be going a little overboard on a pick-up basketball game at a local court and then noticing that your knee is tight or your wrist is swollen later that night. While living in a city promotes active lifestyles, it also increases the likelihood of small injuries from accidents, such as twisting an ankle or straining a shoulder, that interrupt our daily activities.
Knowing what to do immediately after an injury can be the difference between a quick recovery and a prolonged one for many urban athletes.
Not Paying Attention To Minor Injuries After Daily Activities
While urban workouts typically take place in less-than-perfect conditions (uneven sidewalks, crowded gyms, etc.), it’s common to “toughen up” and ignore a twisted ankle or sore shoulder and assume you’ll feel better by tomorrow.
That’s until a couple of days go by. What was originally a mild ankle twist while jogging in the park has now turned into a stiff and painful sensation every time you descend the subway stairs. Most often, the delay in seeking medical attention leads to a longer recovery period than if you had sought immediate medical attention.
Paying attention sooner rather than later is usually the best course of action. Ice the injured area, rest for a day, and observe whether there is swelling. When the pain persists even after you’ve followed these simple steps, consider visiting a clinic that specializes in treating orthopedic injuries so you don’t end up with a worse injury.
Waiting Weeks For Appropriate Medical Care
After an injury, many of us face the classic dilemma. We know we shouldn’t go to the emergency room for a sprained ankle or strained muscle, but waiting weeks to see a specialist is no good either.
This void is where clinics specializing in orthopedic urgent care injuries come in handy. Rather than spending hours in a crowded hospital emergency room, patients can simply walk into a clinic dedicated to treating muscle, joint, and bone-related injuries.
For instance, let’s say you jammed a finger during a lunch hour volleyball game. At an urgent care clinic, they can provide an X-ray that very same afternoon. As a result, quick evaluation and treatment can lead to fewer complications.
Using The Wrong Methods To Recover From Injury
Urban athletes often attempt to “walk off” their injuries. Cyclists might get back on their bikes too quickly after suffering a knee strain, while runners may forgo proper stretching after completing a high-intensity run on the river trail.
Intentional recovery methods work much better. Many everyday actions can help more than you think. Raising a swollen ankle above the level of your heart on a couch cushion, icing an injury for 15 minutes, or shifting from running to low-impact exercise for a week can significantly alleviate the stress placed on damaged tissue. Making a few simple changes to your routine can enable your body to heal from an injury while maintaining overall fitness.
Neglecting Preventative Care
Cities promote continuous activity. Residents are required to walk up escalators in train stations, carry grocery bags for several city blocks, and fit workouts into their busy schedules. Each of these repetitive motions puts additional stress on your joints.
Ultimately, the ability to respond to injuries as they arise and incorporate simple recovery habits into your lifestyle can facilitate your ability to continue being active throughout your urban lifestyle without having to stop due to small injuries.
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