Injuries happen. Getting sick happens. When they do, they affect performance and attendance of practice and sometimes, competition. The first step to treatment is to prevent both through good sleep, hydration, food, proper warm up and technique. In spite of the best prevention, those who push to the limit will push their bodies and at that point they can get sick or injured. Thus the goal following injury is to recover faster.
Sick: To reduce chances of getting sick, one must reduce stress and increase sleep. To reduce stress, make sure that you are on top of your studies and plan ahead for the season. To deal with a cold or cough there are many things one can do but I will say what works very well is that at the slightest feeling of a sore throat to drink Orange Juice high in vitamin C and D. The vitamins boost immunity and help the body react to any sickness. This was proven first during WWI when soldiers who had citrus had much faster recovery times than those who didn’t.
Additionally it is good to hydrate well. Oe way to do that is to drink lots of warm tea with lemon, honey and milk. Milk is an expectorant that helps the body rid the phlegm which is simply destroyed virus by the immune system. Honey helps with cough and has a lot of nutrients for immune system.
Other helpful remedies include gurgling with soda and water also alleviate symptoms. Soups with onion and garlic help immune system. Fever reducers don’t necessarily work but they do help with getting a good night sleep which is just as important.
Injury:
Most of the time if there is no need cast, it is an injury that can be taken care of within a few days. In wrestling most injuries are either over-worked/over-stretched tendons or muscles which recover quicker if one uses ice and anti-inflammatory medicine like Ibuprofen at outset. This is because they prevent inflammation which adds to the injury and pain. By keeping the injury elevated and icing a few times a day: 20 min on and 20 min off, with anti inflammatory, you reduce inflammation. After 2-3 days it is important to get nutrients to the injury site, which can be done with a hot compress, sauna, hot tub or over the counter medications like Tiger balm, Bengay or my favorite: Wood Lock Oil.
Skin issues:
First is prevention: wash with anti-bacterial soap as soon as you get home. Do not wait. Disinfect headgear and other items that might cause you to get funk. At tournaments and matches spray yourself with Hibiclens.
Keep an antifungal at home in case you do get an outbreak of ring-worm. In case of something more serious like MRSA or Staff NEVER POP THE BLISTER. It looks like a zit but it isn’t. DO NOT POP IT. Instead wash, with hyoscyamine and try to get on antibiotic if it is not going away.
So a wrestler cabinet should always have:
- Antifungal,
- Hibiclens,
- Tiger balm or wood lock oil,
- Tylenol or alka-seltzer for fevers and colds
- Ibuprofen for muscle and tendon injuries as well as some tape.
- In the fridge always have some ice or ice packs and orange juice.
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. Medical advice should come from a medical professional. These are recommendations based on experience and current best practices.
Henry-Wrestling 