People often say, "no pain, no gain," but when your favorite sport or pastime causes pain or discomfort – or something just doesn’t look or feel right, pushing through the pain may not be your best course of action.

In fact, many sports injuries you might brush off as nothing serious may be exactly the opposite – especially when you’re playing through discomfort or with a limited range of motion. When this happens, you risk not only prolonging your healing but also exacerbating the injury and making it more likely you’ll get injured somewhere else.

Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a sports novice, listen to your body while playing the game. And if any of these aches, pains, sprains and accidents sound familiar, you’ll likely want to consult a medical professional.

Concussion or head injury

While you might relate head injuries to male-dominated contact sports like football, you might be surprised to know that girls and women are more likely to ignore the signs of a concussion to keep playing the game. This should never be the case – whether you’re male or female.

According to Apex Brain Centers, you should never ignore a blow to the head. Untreated head injuries can have catastrophic effects, from decreased cognitive function to lasting physical pain, vision problems, mental illness and emotional turmoil – just to name a few.

If you experience symptoms of a serious head injury – like a headache, ringing in the ears, nausea, fatigue or blurry vision, be sure to seek medical help immediately.

Dislocations

Though many dislocations aren’t a result of exercise or sports, the chances of injury are much higher in those who are active. Most people can tell if they’ve dislocated a joint. According to Patient.info, most people will experience sudden and intense pain, swelling, deformity and bleeding.

Don’t let your friend pop it back into place for you, because chances are, they don’t know what they’re doing. Dislocations require immediate medical attention and most likely x-rays. If you don’t go see a doctor, you could lose nerve functioning and blood supply to tissues—in addition to suffering in pain.

Sprains

If you’ve ever heard someone say, "I’m ok, it’s just a sprain," you know how common it is for athletes – of all ages – to work through the pain of a sprain. But while a sprain might not sound as serious as a break or a tear, for example, it can impact your health and athletic ability when not properly treated. According to the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, an untreated ankle sprain can lead to chronic ankle instability, which in turn causes pain and weakness. Additionally, a sprain may be accompanied by a more severe ankle injury, which may be overlooked without a medical exam.

Knee injuries

As an athlete, you rely on your knees to absorb the impact of dynamic, strenuous movements. But when your knees hurt, it’s important not to push through it. According to Healthline, knee pain isn’t normal – in fact, it can indicate an injury or underlying medical condition. If you experience pain in the knee, notice swelling around the area or have lost your range of motion – it’s difficult to extend or flex your leg, for example – it’s important to be checked out by a medical professional. Knee injuries – like an ACL tear, fracture or torn meniscus – or other issues born from overuse and inflammation, can become worse when you ignore them.

Tingling or numbness

You may have taken a clumsy fall or tipped over a soccer ball – but even if the cause of your injury wasn’t dramatic, any time you feel tingling or numbness after an injury or accident, it’s important to see a doctor. Tingling and numbness can indicate nerve damage, which, when left untreated, could become permanent. Aside from losing sensation in one of more areas of the body, nerve damage can also cause muscle weakness, exacerbating the injury even more.

Avoiding injury

Participating in your favorite sport doesn’t have to be risky. Athletes should wear any (and all) recommended protective pads, helmets, mouth guards or other equipment when playing to reduce their risk of injury. Additionally, be sure you’re choosing a sport — and a level of play — that suits your physical fitness. Avoid playing when you’re tired, sleep deprived, or in pain.

If you find yourself injured after a sports match, running, or doing anything active, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor. The orthopedic professionals at Steward Healthcare can help fix you up so you can get back to doing what you love. Find an orthopedic medical professional near you to get the relief you need.

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