Another symptom never to ignore is swelling. Swelling is always a sign of some type of injury. You can also experience swelling within the joint, which may be harder to see. If you do have swelling in the joint, your range of motion will be reduced and your joint may feel tight. Elizabeth recommends comparing both sides of the body. If one side acts differently than the other, you may have joint swelling. Finally, Elizabeth warns to never ignore numbness or tingling in your body. This may be a sign of nerve compression, which might be a prelude to a serious injury.
If you experience any of these symptoms your first step is to stop what you're doing and call your doctor. Never work through the pain! Dealing with an injury right away may mean a little recovery time, but that's better than having a permanent condition. While waiting to get in to see your doctor, you can also start a little treatment on your own. The usual treatment involves R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation). All this means is that you should stop what you're doing and use a bandage to compress the injured area (which can help reduce swelling). Then put an ice pack on the boo boo for about 15 or 20 minutes at a time, making sure to give the injured area plenty of time to warm up between icing sessions. Then, elevate the area and make sure your significant other knows how bad it hurts. They should pamper you in your time of need by bringing you whatever you require at any given moment.
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