Overuse. Overexert. Exceed. These are the terms that are commonly associated in sports injury. It results when repeated activity in any sports participation has been led to the point of excessive wear and tear to the various body parts. Although it is possible to have injuries on different parts of the body in sports; the most notably affected one is the musculoskeletal system.

Sports medicine experts have purportedly said that runners are the athletes that usually visit their clinics and it is then followed by skaters, snow boarders, mountain bikers, dancers, basketball players and the list goes on. There is certainly a diverse type of injury that plagues a sport. The primary treatment usually lies in stopping what you are repeatedly and excessively doing. The athlete may be reaching a very monumental record or playing a decisive game, but the constant exertion on the already aching injury would only get worse and would eventually lead to a bigger problem.

Being knowledgeable about the signs, symptoms and what one should do initially can significantly turn the aching pain to a more favorable outcome if coupled with early treatment. The injury would definitely be nipped at the bud before it gradually becomes a hindrance to your sports career.

These are some of the common sports injuries: Achilles tendonitis or a.k.a. rupture of the Achilles tendon, Joint dislocation, Bone fractures, Sprains (the ankles, knees, and wrists are commonly affected by sprains), Strains and Shin splints which is the pain along the outside front of the lower leg, commonly seen in runners.

There maybe fractures, dislocation of joints, cuts and scratches, blisters, bruising of the body, sprain or strains causing inflammation and pain to the athlete's injury and in the off chance that severe bleeding occurs, prompt medical attention is needed. But for minor injuries, R.I.C.E. has been a helpful acronym to remind us how one can easily manages simple sports injuries.

R stands for Rest. This is the first step in managing a simple injury. Overuse of a body part or a traumatic impact of a part of the body would severely stretch or rupture a blood vessel making it painful. Rest definitely helps alleviate all the stressful exertions an athlete put on the injured part.

I stands for Ice. Ice is somewhat the cheapest 5 second anesthesia to an injury. Putting an ice to an injured part numbs that area for a short while and actually reduces the swelling. One must only apply the ice 15 to 20 minutes then remove the ice and let the injured part rest for awhile. The injury must not be continuously numbed by ice for more than that it would be quite uncomfortable at times; we are trying to prevent a rebound effect wherein the ice would no longer be doing its function of numbing the injury.

C stands for Compression. Compression actually limits swelling and this also slows down healing. People at times would feel relieved from the pain through the compression as well. In applying compression, make sure you don't feel throbbing pain or feel the wrapping is too tight. It must not be too tight enough that it would cut off circulation nor too lose that the compression was rendered useless.

Lastly, E stands for Elevation. This means we have to elevate the injured part just above the level of the heart. This is somewhat preferred to be done during night times where in we can prop the injured leg parts with a pillow.

Of course if R.I.C.E. method does not totally relieve the pain or the injury shows sign of getting worse even though R.I.C.E method has been applied; referral to a doctor should be the next plan of action.

Generally speaking, majority of the sports related injuries does not even need to reach treatment. Prevention is what's needed for the athlete to have a smooth sailing career in the sports world. In addition, at times, the cause of sports injuries lies in the improper use of training techniques, physical regimen or proper equipments to use. These are some of the factors that contribute more or less to receiving injuries if it's not correctly followed. Proper knowledge on a sport can truly prevent some of those injuries that are bound to happen in being ignorant.