And wear appropriate safety gear. Helmets are especially important because head injuries can cause permanent brain damage or even death. Knee, wrist and elbow pads will also do you right. When a ligament gets stretched or torn, you have a sprain . Mild strains and sprains will usually heal themselves if you let them.
Some people take ibuprofen for the pain.
If you keep using the injured joint, it won't heal. Be careful not to overdo it with the ice - leaving ice on too long can cause more damage than good. Any severe sprain or strain needs to be seen by a health professional . Your health care provider can check for broken bones and advise you about treating the injury. A severe strain or sprain occasionally requires surgery to repair the torn ligament, muscle or tendon.