There are all sorts of ways to heal a sports injury – from mild to severe. Let’s start with the basics. Get rest, apply ice on the affected area, use elastic compression bandages to help limit swelling, keep your injured body part above the level of your heart to help reduce swelling, and also protect the area from further injury, like with using a support. Pain relief can be achieved with over-the-counter medications, and creams are available to help ease pain and reduce swelling. Staying put, that is immobilization, may also help prevent further damage by reducing movement, and it may also help reduce pain, swelling and spasms.   Then there is physiotherapy that helps athletes recover from a long-term injury. Physiotherapy is performed by a specialist who may utilize a number of techniques, including massages, and manipulation of exercises that are used to improve range of motion, strengthen surrounding muscles, and return the normal function of the area injured. A physiotherapist may also help develop an exercise program that will help strengthen the affected body part and help reduce the risk of the injury recurring.   More serious sports injuries may require corrective treatment, or the realigning displaced bones without an operation, and in some cases surgery.