I'm injured... now what? Part I

THIS IS MY ADORABLE NIECE AFTER AN INJURY! I wish I had that smile when I'm injured

Most musicians will face an injury during their career- whether it's during school, a summer program, or an intense Wagner orchestra cycle.  When dealing with one, you should ALWAYS consult a doctor, but there are also simple solutions that might help relieve the pain until you can. You might have already heard some tips and tricks from friends who were once injured themselves. Perhaps they told you to ice it or use heating pads. It might also be obvious that you need to rest more and drink more water... but where to start? 

This is part I to "injuries and how to deal with them on the spot". Part II will talk more about prevention and alternative solutions. 

When to ICE it? 

Ice treatment is used in acute injuries. It's especially effective if used within the first 48 hours of an injury to reduce swelling. Ice packs work best to control the swelling around the injury, reduce inflammation, muscle spasms, and pain. You can make your own ice pack by simply putting ice cubes in a plastic bag and wrapping them in a paper towel. You can also use packs of frozen peas or blueberries. It's important to remember not to put the ice directly on the injury and keep shifting its position in order to avoid ice burns. Also, do not use it more than 30 minutes at a time and stop using if the injury turns bright pink or red.

When to HEAT it?

Heating pads are used in cases of more chronic conditions. It will relax and loosen tissues related to the injury, so do NOT use if there is any swelling. Heating pads are ideal to use before you begin to play in cases of overuse injuries. It's like a quick warm-up! For this, you can use an electric heating pad or a hot wet towel. Always remove them before falling asleep (if you use them before bed) and do not use for a long period of time (more than 20-30 minutes). Also, be cautious and do not use pads or towels that are too hot, as that by itself can cause an injury.

Most importantly: remember to listen to your body! if something doesn't feel good, stop immediately and rest until you see a doctor.