Ice Hockey Injuries: When to Muscle Through and When to Take Time Off
Ice hockey is a high-intensity sport that requires physical strength, agility, and endurance. Unfortunately, injuries are a common occurrence on the ice. While some injuries can be played through, others require time off for proper healing. In this blog post, we'll discuss which hockey injuries players can muscle through and which ones require rest and recovery.
Muscle Through:
Bruises - Bruises are a common injury in hockey, and while they can be painful, they usually don't require time off. Ice packs and pain medication can help with the discomfort.
Minor cuts and scrapes - As long as the wound is properly cleaned and dressed, minor cuts and scrapes can usually be played through.
Mild sprains and strains - If the injury is not severe, players can usually continue playing with a sprained or strained muscle. However, it's important to properly stretch and warm up before getting back on the ice.
Take Time Off:
Concussions - Concussions are a serious injury that require immediate attention. Players should take time off to rest and recover before returning to the ice.
Broken bones - Any broken bones, whether it be a finger, arm, or leg, require time off for proper healing. Trying to play through the injury can make it worse and lengthen the recovery time.
Torn ligaments - Torn ligaments, such as an ACL tear, require rest and physical therapy to fully heal. Playing through the injury can cause further damage and make recovery more difficult.
It's important for hockey players to listen to their bodies and take injuries seriously. While playing through minor injuries may seem like a tough-guy move, it can actually do more harm than good in the long run. By properly assessing and treating injuries, players can stay healthy and perform at their best on the ice.
Additionally, at the MCHL, we understand the importance of proper injury management and prevention. That's why we provide our players with braces for various extremities, boots for foot and ankle injuries, and even a cube that circulates ice water. These resources are available to our players upon request, to help them properly manage their injuries and promote a speedy recovery. We want to ensure that our players can safely enjoy the sport they love without compromising their health and wellbeing.
It's important to note that while the MCHL provides resources to aid in injury management and prevention, we are not medical professionals. The information provided on our website or by our staff is not intended to serve as medical advice, and players should always consult a licensed medical professional for diagnosis and treatment of any injuries. We encourage our players to prioritize their health and wellbeing and seek appropriate medical care when needed.
