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 If you become injured, report the injury to the athletic trainer.
- Do not neglect injuries. With proper, EARLY treatment, you can limit the severity of your injury and be able to return to full activity quickly. However, you must come to treatment in order to do so.
- Respect pain. Pain is your body's way of telling you that you are injured; your body is hoping that you will slow down your activity until your body has healed. If you continue to play and the pain increases or does not settle down, stop playing. Everyone knows athletes compete with pain – it is important to learn the difference between minor pain from a minor injury and the pain of a major injury. It is also important to learn the difference between soreness and pain.
- It will take more than one treatment to recover from an injury. Follow the treatment and rehabilitation plan initiated for you to return to your sport as quickly and as safely as possible.
- When arriving in the athletic training room for treatment, ask what you should do. Before leaving the athletic training room be sure to determine when you need to come back (post practice, the next day, and/or later in the week). The athletic training staff will not chase student-athletes down to ensure compliance with treatment, treatment protocols, and appointment schedules. The staff will inform head coaches when student-athletes are not in compliance.
- If you are undergoing a rehabilitation program, it is essential that you do your exercise as painlessly as possible. If you continue to exercise despite pain, you are making the injury worse, or at a minimum, delaying healing. Progression of resistance should be made under the supervision of the athletic training staff. A good rule of thumb is to progress in a step-wise manner. For example, for heavy weights, try to go up in weight one set at a time instead of waiting to increase weight until all sets can be lifted at a higher weight.
- If you have a nagging injury that becomes painful or swells after activity, it is helpful to apply ice to the area. Take the time to ice for 20 minutes. This time investment now might allow you to continue to participate while neglecting the injury might cause you to miss time.
- Heat applied to a new injury may increase swelling and make the injury worse.
- Wounds occurring in athletic settings often become infected. Make sure all wounds are thoroughly cleaned properly and treated to prevent infection. If the wound becomes swollen or red, show an athletic trainer immediately.
- Medication is sometimes necessary to aid recovery. Popular over-the-counter medications include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, Nuprin) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). The proper dosage for ibuprofen is three 200mg tablets three times per day with food. The proper dosage for naproxen sodium is two 220mg tablets two times per day with food. Never mix these medicines together and do not take more than the recommended amount. More is NOT better.
- Good stretching and warm-up can make your body flexible and prepared for vigorous activity. Not only does stretching reduce injuries, it can permit you to perform better. Preventing injuries is easier than treating injuries.
- Drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after practice and competition. Hydration is very important in preventing heat illness and assuring optimal performance.
- Do not attempt to move an injured athlete. Moving a teammate may cause further damage and injury to an already serious condition.
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Athletics
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