Not uncommon among elite athletes, a sports hernia can put you out of action for a while. With surgery, 90% of athletes recover fully, but you can increase your chances by managing the pain and inflammation from home. Unlike other hernias, sports hernias don’t create a bulge but can cause incredible pain in the groin area. Fortunately, there are natural remedies which can help to bring comfort and gently heal the injury, so that you can quickly get back to the sport’s field. Treating a sports-related injury quickly and effectively helps ensure that your fitness doesn’t dip while out of action. So if you are dealing with a sports hernia, use the natural solutions below.
Ice and Heat
Ice is a common method for pain relief but may be especially effective when coping with a sports hernia. When the abdominal muscles tear, they will become inflamed, which creates a bloating feeling. Regularly pressing ice against the affected area will reduce the swelling and associated pain.
Ice will numb the area to remove any sensation of pain but should be combined with heat for the most effective treatment. A hot water bottle on the stomach or groin will bring blood to the surface, which allows the muscle tissues to heal more quickly and prevent spasms, which are a cause of much of the pain.
Ginger
One of the most powerful natural anti-inflammatories is ginger. This delicious spice has been used as a pain reliever for centuries, but it has recently received a surge in popularity due to its health benefits, which can help to prevent cancer. When you are dealing with a sports hernia, you should be consuming as much ginger as possible.
You can put it on meals or in your coffee to get as much in your system as possible. Between medication and surgery, a little bit of ginger can help to speed up the recovery process. Even after you have fully recovered and returned to action, consuming plenty of ginger can help prevent the sports hernia from returning.
Massage and Meditation
A sports massage can also help to relax the muscles and bring blood to the affected area, but there’s more to it than that. Much of the pain will be a result of the muscles tightening from stress. You should, therefore, use your time off to reduce stress as much as possible.
Spiritual practices such as yoga and meditation can calm the mind. This will be reflected throughout the body, as your tense muscles start to loosen. This won’t cure a hernia, but it can help to greatly reduce the feeling of pain.
A sports hernia can affect any athlete at any moment in their career, putting them out of action and causing great pain. Medication and surgery will help, but don’t underestimate the power of natural remedies. Heat, ice, and ginger combined with taking time to reduce stress will help the body to heal so that you can return to your sport more quickly.
Contact our physical therapists today and learn how Sports and Ortho can help you live a pain-free life!
