How to Cope With Pain in Athletics

Pain is common among athletes as contact and even non-contact sports can cause minor to serious injuries. Pain shouldn't be endured, however, as this can affect how you play a sport. Techniques that include warming up and properly training before playing sports can help prevent serious injuries.

Things You'll Need

• Elastic wrap
• Sling
• Ice pack or frozen bag of peas
• Hand towel
• Pillow
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
• Medicated patches for pain
• Hot compress

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Protect and compress your injury.

  Use an elastic wrap to immobilize the affected area. Apply an elastic bandage to prevent swelling and to protect your injury, as indicated by MayoClinic.com. This is applicable for sprains. Slings can also help to keep injured arms and shoulders in place.

• 2

  Rest until activities don't cause pain.

  Stay immobilized until your pain is alleviated. Avoid activities that can cause further pain.

• 3

  Use ice to alleviate pain.

  Ice your injury. Use an ice pack or a frozen bag of peas. Ice the affected area for 15 minutes at a time. Use a hand towel underneath the ice, which will prevent injury to your skin.

• 4

  Keep the injured limb elevated.

  Place a pillow under your injury. Elevating your affected limb will drain fluids from it, thereby reducing swelling and helping with pain.

• 5

  Get a massage to cope with pain.

  Get a sports massage, and make sure your massage therapist is licensed in sport's therapy. A physical therapist can also help with stabilizing injured joints and limbs to prevent further injury.

• 6

  Use over-the-counter medication to manage pain.

  Use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen to alleviate pain and swelling. Injuries resulting in inflammation can cause your tissues to become swollen, which results in pain.

• 7

  Use a medicated pain patch, as noted by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease. Apply the patches directly to the injured spot.

• 8

  Use a hot compress to ease pain. Hot compresses, such as heating pads, can help to dilate your blood vessels and develop better blood flow. However, hot compresses shouldn't be used within the first two days from when the injury was sustained.