Coronary artery disease, alongside other types of heart disease, are conditions that affect how the heart operates and receives oxygen-rich blood to your system. Symptoms can go unnoticed for decades, and it’s only through a heart-healthy lifestyle that heart disease can be prevented. However, changing your eating habits is often tricky, and when you have years of unhealthy eating, it can be challenging to make those life-long changes. But a heart-healthy diet can work with your lifestyle if you know what to eat and avoid. 

What To Avoid Eating When On A Heart-Healthy Diet for Heart & Coronary Artery Disease

To help you start a heart-healthy diet, knowing what to avoid first is essential. So many of the foods we have today can contain processed ingredients and unhealthy sugars, fats, and sodium levels that can impact your heart over time. Some key features in food to avoid when changing your diet include:

• Saturated Fats and Trans Fats: Both saturated fats and trans fats are some of the primary causes of high blood cholesterol, which can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, leading to a higher risk of heart attacks. Saturated fats should take up less than 6 percent of your diet, and avoid trans fats altogether. Some substitutions for healthy fats can include olive oils, vegetable oil, avocados, and other types of nuts. 
• Added Sugars: Any food with added sugars is often a key ingredient of most unhealthy diets, and they’re everywhere. While some added sugars couldn’t be avoided, some foods don’t have to have them, such as canned or frozen fruits. To help reduce this, make sure to get natural sugars from fresh fruits instead. 
• High Sodium: Alongside sugar, most unhealthy diets contain high amounts of added sodium, which can lead to high blood pressure, another risk factor for heart disease. Salt intake is recommended at no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day, or about a teaspoon of salt. Look for salt amounts in canned soups, baked goods, and frozen dinners, and replace them with dinners made with salt-free seasoning blends and reduced-sodium canned soups. 
• High-Fat Proteins: While protein is an excellent source for building muscle and maintaining your body, many sources of protein provided today contain high amounts of unhealthy fats, such as hot dogs, bacon, and fried meats. Replace these meats with options such as salmon, legumes, skinless chicken breasts, and eggs instead. 
• Processed Grain Products: One of the biggest factors in unhealthy diets is processed grains, which remove all the nutrients from those grains and process them with added sugars and salt. To get your source of fiber, try foods such as 100% whole-grain bread, high-fiber cereals, whole-grain rice, and whole-grain pasta to help freshen up your meals. 

Changing your diet requires time, patience, and dedication, but it’s important to adjust your diet to your lifestyle to make it work for you. Sometimes cheat days are needed to help you maintain your morale. Other times, new recipes need to be explored to make your diet more interesting to your tastebuds. But to best maintain your heart health, diet, exercise, and planning is the key. 

Take Care Of Your Heart At MD First Primary & Urgent Care!

At MD First Primary & Urgent Care, Dr. Amrendra Kumar and Kasey Hudson can provide excellent care for your heart through our primary care services in Lancaster, SC. We work to provide care for all of our patients in a timely, effective manner and help our patients live the best, healthiest lives. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling (803) 283-2300.

Most people have admitted to telling a familiar story if they ever arranged a wellness exam. Even with the best intentions, consulting a doctor for preventive care is inconvenient. Individuals find that to be problematic. Companies, however, also struggle with it. Many individuals have health insurance through their jobs, and their medical costs go up when they don’t have access to primary care.

It’s Essential to Find a Primary Care Provider

Most people think of primary care as usual, regular medical care provided by an internist, a family practitioner, a nurse practitioner, or a healthcare provider. People go there first for most medical problems, including the common cold and sprained feet. A primary care component that seeks to maintain patients’ health is preventive care (or sicker). Immunizations for children returning to school, blood tests to check their cholesterol and insulin levels, and risk factor education are also covered. How does receiving fundamental care help you stay healthy?

• Disease Prevention: Many diseases’ early diagnosis and prevention depend heavily on primary care. Routine exams and screenings increase the likelihood that people will avoid or discover health issues early, receive treatment more quickly, and require less care overall.
• Establishing a Relationship: Patients who see their primary care physician regularly are more likely to form bonds with them. Most people are more open to what someone they know and believe has to say, whether they are in the right or not. They are also more apt to be open and truthful about their lifestyle choices and health problems. That is powerful. After all, a healthcare professional cannot refer a patient to counseling for anxiety or advise them on quitting smoking if she is not conscious of their concerns.
• Cost-Effective Care: Studies show that patients value primary treatment more highly, and it is prioritized in healthcare systems. They are not only more affordable, but they also deliver better outcomes. Costs will be reduced to make treatment more accessible to those in better health. Everyone wins if regular blood testing helps someone control their diabetes or a preventive mammogram finds breast cancer early.

In the US, there is an issue with primary care access. Concerning its origins, there are many different viewpoints. There are also concerns that specialties in areas like the heart are replacing internal and family medicine. The primary care issue is being resolved independently by numerous organizations. Hundreds of clients have concluded that having direct access to care is the most efficient way to preserve their dependents’ health while lowering costs. We help them set up local clinics, clinics nearby, and online health options that make scheduling doctor appointments easy and practical.

MD First Primary & Urgent Care Offers Excellent Primary Care

We offer the widest variety of services in our sector, including numerous options for primary care. Unlike a fee-for-service payment model, our providers are committed to the member populations they support. As a result, they can spend more time building confidence with members during each session. Contact us at (803) 283-2300 immediately to begin your search for a new doctor!

A primary care provider (PCP) is a medical professional who treats patients with typical health issues. Doctors are most frequently this individual. However, a PCP could also be a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Your PCP frequently takes a long time to get engaged in your care. Therefore, picking a physician, you can get along with is crucial.

Picking a Primary Care Provider in Lancaster, SC

In non-emergency circumstances, your primary healthcare provider is a PCP. Your primary care physician’s (PCP) duties include the following:

• Advising you on healthy lifestyle choices and preventive care.
• Diagnosing and treating common illnesses.
• Determining the urgency of your medical issues.
• Directing you to the most appropriate facility for treatment.
• Making specialist referrals as needed.

Most of the time, primary care is given in an outpatient environment. However, based on the situation, your PCP might help with or oversee your care if you are admitted to the hospital. You can develop a long-term, trusting rapport with one doctor by choosing a PCP. There are several distinct PCP types from which to choose. Going to an urgent care facility rather than a hospital emergency room is typically preferable if a health issue arises and you do not have a primary care physician. Often, you’ll save time and money by doing this. Numerous emergency rooms have recently increased their service offerings, including urgent treatment inside or nearby. Speak with the facility first to learn more.

Your medical “home” is your primary care physician. For most medical needs, such as wellness check-ups and regular screenings, non-emergency illnesses like earaches and sore throats, and the doctor you talk with about your health questions and concerns, it’s the doctor you see. Consider the following factors as well when selecting a PCP:

• Is the office personnel welcoming and accommodating? Does the office have a decent call-return policy?
• Do the office hours accommodate your schedule well?
• How simple is it to contact the service provider? Can they be reached online via email?
• Do you prefer a more formal or informal provider regarding communication?
• Do you favor a healthcare professional more concerned with wellness and illness prevention?
• Does the doctor handle treatment conservatively or aggressively?
• Does the doctor prescribe numerous tests?
• Does the medical professional frequently or rarely recommend other specialists?
• Does the healthcare practitioner ask you to engage in your care? Is the relationship between you and the doctor a true partnership?

While some patient-primary care relationships can last for decades, others will end if you relocate or change insurance. No matter how frequently you intend to visit your general care physician, the connection is crucial. Nothing can tell you if you’ve chosen the right doctor, like a visit to their workplace and a face-to-face discussion.

Finding the Right PCP With MD First Primary & Urgent Care

Most insurance plans enable you to switch your primary care physician at any time during the plan year if, for any reason, you are not satisfied with your selection. However, getting your foot in the door by starting with MD First Primary & Urgent Care is a surefire method to do so. Contact us at (803) 283-2300 to locate the ideal doctor.

As an essential part of any fitness program, strength training is a crucial part of helping maintain your body’s strength and comes with many benefits. At MD First Primary and Urgent Care, we’re here to help outline those benefits and give insight into how it benefits your health. 

More Than Muscle: The Health Benefits of Strength Training

Strength training, also known as resistance training or weight training, works with resistance to create muscular contractions and build muscle over time. This type of exercise is based on the concept that when the muscles overcome a resistance force, the muscles become stronger, and it is considered an essential part of a well-rounded fitness program. Its purpose is to enhance your body’s muscle mass, as muscle mass naturally diminishes with age and causes an increase in body fat percentage over time without exercise. 

When placed in an overall fitness program, strength training can provide many physical and mental health benefits, such as: 

• Develops Healthy, Strong Bones: Strength training can help increase bone density and lower the risk of osteoporosis by placing stress on the muscles and bones. 
• Better Weight Management: Strength training can also manage or lose weight, increasing your metabolic rate and helps burn more calories. 
• Helps Build Strength, Tone, and Stamina: Through strength training, your muscles can become more toned, and your body won’t tire easily. 
• Improves Flexibility, Balance, and Posture: By increasing your muscular strength, your body’s sense of flexibility, mobility, and balance can significantly improve, helping you remain independent as you age. 
• Protects The Joints and Body From Injury: By improving your muscles’ tone, your muscles can protect your joints and body from injuries. 
• Prevent Cognitive Decline: Some studies have shown that strength training can prevent the onset of cognitive decline in older adults by improving thinking and learning skills. 
• Provide Chronic Pain Management: Strength training can also reduce the signs and symptoms of chronic conditions such as back pain and arthritis. 
• Improved Quality of Life: Strength training can help improve your quality of life and enhance your ability to perform everyday tasks. It can reduce the risks of falls and fractures and help foster better independence as you age. 

Strength training provides your body with the necessary work to make your body stronger. As you incorporate strength exercises into your routine, this exercise can provide you with fantastic benefits that will last a lifetime. 

How To Get Started With Strength Training Through MD First Primary & Urgent Care

Strength training, when combined with aerobic exercise and a healthy diet, is considered one of the best ways to manage your health for life. However, diet and exercise present one of the biggest challenges for people attempting to confront chronic conditions such as obesity, fibromyalgia, and heart disease. Through your primary care provider, they can provide you with the tips and methods you need to help you become more active, lose weight, and, most of all, achieve the healthiest version of yourself. 

At MD First Primary & Urgent Care, our team of physicians is here for you through all stages of your health. Call us today to schedule an appointment at our practice to learn more about our services and find out about what we can provide for diet changes, exercise routines, pain management, and more.

Gout is when uric acid collects in and around joints, most commonly the big toe. As it settles there, it begins to develop crystals that can cause a notable amount of pain. However, the significant pain resulting from uric acid crystals in the joints is a minor issue compared to the potential risks of elevated uric acid levels in your system. Uric acid can cause severe damage to multiple organs within the body, most notably the kidneys, and increases the risk of developing certain disorders. MD First Primary & Urgent Care is available to help you get your gout under control and reduce the uric acid levels in your system.

Exploring The Heart Health Risks of Elevated Uric Acid

Sleep apnea, depression, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes are all conditions that are more likely to occur in those who have elevated levels of uric acid. It’s essential to understand the potential risks that are posed by gout and the associated uric acid. When you understand the impact of these factors, it makes it easier to adopt a healthier diet, become more active, and drop weight. All of these factors can improve your symptoms and reduce your risks.

When gout occurs, it’s an important warning sign that things in your body are becoming unbalanced. Further, your overall health is entering a state of decline, but there’s usually time to turn back at this stage. Some topics our team will discuss with you after a gout diagnosis may include the following:

• Chronic Kidney Disease and Kidney Stones – Your joints aren’t the only place where uric acid crystals can form. They can also form in your kidneys, producing kidney stones and impeding the function of your kidneys. This damage can be insidious, slowly progressing over time if left untreated. However, with proper care, it can be slowed down. Kidney stones, in particular, are common in those suffering from gout, occurring in as much as 20% of sufferers.
• Heart Disease and Stroke – Gout has also been tied to heightened risks of various heart diseases. Heart attacks, irregular heartbeats, and heart failure are three examples. Those over 65 who regularly suffer gout attacks see their risk of a heart attack roughly doubled. There is an associated increase in risks of peripheral vascular disease and stroke. 
• Diabetes – Type 2 diabetes is 71% more likely in women living with gout, while men with gout see a 22% increase in risk. While the underlying mechanism isn’t well understood, abnormal inflammation likely contributes to a heightened risk of this condition. 

These are the most prominent concerns faced by those who are living with gout, in addition to gout itself. 

Visit MD First Primary & Urgent Care To Learn More About Gout

If you’re concerned you may be developing gout, or are already experiencing symptoms, call our offices today. You can either come in for a walk-in visit or schedule an appointment at a convenient time. During your visit, we’ll discuss your symptoms and other health concerns and help develop a treatment plan to begin turning the tide against gout.

No one is entirely aware of what the appendix does. It’s about 3.5 inches long, and you can live without it. However, this can be an emergency if the appendix faces a blockage. 1 in 20 individuals in the United States generally has to have their appendix removed at some time.

What are the Indicators of Appendicitis?

There isn’t a lot of information out there about the appendix, true enough. But most physicians can recognize the signs of appendicitis. There are five significant appendicitis indicators, and those are:

• Abdominal pain on your lower right side – Unlike the gallbladder or stomach, the appendix is on your right. If there is a sudden, sharp pain on the right side of your stomach, it could be a sign of appendicitis. It could also be a sign of an infected appendix; the pain sometimes feels centered near your navel.
• Nausea and vomiting – Appendicitis can affect your digestive system. A blockage of the intestines or an appendix infection generally causes appendicitis. The appendix, when infected, will become inflamed and cause digestive problems. These digestive issues generally result in nausea and vomiting. It will become a struggle to keep anything down once the pain starts, and sometimes before.
• Constipation, an inability to pass gas, and cramps – A blockage in your intestines is usually related to appendicitis. If you’re struggling with consistent, uncomfortable constipation or inability to pass gas, it could result from a partial or total obstruction of your bowels. On the other hand, appendicitis can also cause severe diarrhea and stomach cramps. 
• Fever and chills – Fevers are your body’s way of fighting infection. Paired with abdominal pain, nausea, and other symptoms, a low-grade fever might indicate that your appendix needs attention. If your appendix ruptures, your fever will skyrocket. 
• Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms – Appendicitis can also appear to be a urinary tract infection (UTI), making passing urine difficult and painful. If you display symptoms of a UTI paired with any of the above symptoms, it could be an issue with your appendix instead of a bladder issue. Seek medical attention immediately to prevent your appendix from rupturing.

Any combination of appendicitis symptoms should be enough to send you to the doctor immediately. Accurate diagnosis is vital to ensure you get the proper treatment. Food, drink, laxatives, and heating pads can cause an inflamed appendix to rupture, so avoid these as much as possible. If you cannot see your primary physician immediately, go to the emergency room if you’re experiencing appendicitis.

Seek Medical Care Immediately

Ruptured appendices are medical emergencies that require immediate surgery to remove the appendix. If left untreated, a ruptured appendix can leak harmful bacteria into your abdominal cavity, resulting in peritonitis. This inflammation of the lining inside your abdomen can be life-threatening. Appendicitis can be imposing and frightening, but the surgery to remove the appendix is relatively simple and painless. Appemdectomies are performed laparoscopically, only resulting in a few small incisions. These smaller incisions heal faster than most, and you’re back to your old self in no time.

“Covid Tongue” is a painful side effect of Covid-19. This condition refers to when the tongue is swollen and inflamed. Often, patients experience bumps or ulcers on the tongue as well. Sometimes, the tongue is white with a patchy appearance. Other times, the tongue is red and swollen. Covid Tongue is often the cause of a patient’s inability to taste food when they have Covid.

Swollen Tongue and the Link to Covid 

A swollen tongue doesn’t always indicate Covid. Many different diseases and viruses cause a swollen, inflamed tongue. If your tongue is swollen and inflamed, a Covid test doesn’t hurt, but it might not be the cause of the inflammation.

Cells contain enzymes called ACE receptors. SARS-CoV-2 attacks these enzymes, allowing the virus to attack the cells. When the virus attacks and replicates in the cells, illnesses are caused. The tongue holds many ACE receptors and is prime real estate for viruses. When a virus attaches to the ACE receptors in the tongue, bumps and inflammation are caused.

Does Covid Cause Muscle Pain?

Covid isn’t the only thing that causes a swollen tongue. Glossitis is another condition that can cause inflammation in the tongue. Often, glossitis presents as Covid tongue, causing a sore or swollen tongue. However, glossitis can appear due to many other factors. Sometimes, an allergic reaction to oral hygiene products or food can cause it. Other cases include skin conditions in the mouth, mouth injuries, hormones, or vitamin deficiencies. If your tongue is swollen, look for other symptoms of Covid to ensure that Covid is the culprit.

Treatments

While there aren’t any treatments specifically for Covid Tongue, there are options. Because Covid Tongue causes inflammation in the tongue, other remedies for swelling and inflammation can provide relief.

• Maintain good oral hygiene with products you aren’t allergic to.
• Avoid things that can cause tongue inflammation, including foods and substances.
• Continue any antibiotics you’ve been prescribed.
• Change your diet and take vitamins if you need to.

There is also the chance that the swelling and inflammation related to Covid would go away when treating Covid. When suffering from Covid-19, the CDC suggests staying rested, hydrating, and taking cold medication are helpful ways to treat the symptoms.

You Might Have Covid Tongue. What Now?

If you notice that your tongue looks unusual or is painful and inflamed, it might indicate another virus. It could even be something you ate that didn’t agree with you. Different viruses that cause inflammation of the tongue aren’t always specific. Inflammation in the tongue can increase suspicion of coronavirus, but other symptoms lead to that diagnosis instead.

Covid has many symptoms, but according to the CDC, there are more problematic symptoms you should look out for, including: 

• High fever accompanied by chills
• Exhaustion and fatigue
• Bodily aches and headaches
• Sore throat
• Congestion of the nose and a runny nose
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea 

The bottom line is that you don’t want to ignore bumps or inflammation of your tongue—but don’t panic if you develop one of these symptoms, either.

If you notice that you have bumps, ulcers, or inflammation of the tongue, don’t ignore them. They might be Covid, but there’s no reason to panic if you experience these symptoms either.

If You Think You Have Covid, Contact a Physician

If you notice the symptoms of Covid Tongue and suspect you have Covid, you should get tested for Covid as soon as possible. Even if the cause of your tongue’s inflammation isn’t Covid, you might still have the virus. But even if you don’t have Covid Tongue and are presenting other symptoms of Covid, reach out to a physician for a Covid test.

The winter holiday season is filled with joy and cheer, but for people with heart disease, it also presents some serious risks to their health. According to research from the British Medical Association, there has been a growth in heart attacks and other cardiac events more so than at any other time of the year. The holidays can be busy and stressful, and it can be easy to lose sight of the warning signs. It’s essential to be aware of these risks, and taking simple steps to protect your heart health can help you celebrate the upcoming new year without complications.

Being Mindful of Your Heart During The Holiday Season

The holiday season is often a time of excess, where people eat bigger portions of salter, rich food, drink more alcohol, and let their regimens fall by the wayside. Because of the excessive indulgence of the season, it can also be easy to push off warning signs of a heart attack. 

Higher levels of stress can contribute to heart attacks quickly due to the events of the holidays, and while enjoying the break of the holidays is an excellent way to bring joy to your life, having chronic conditions such as heart failure can pose risks that impact your season in heart-rendering ways. 

Here are some things to be aware of for everyone this holiday season:

• Know Your Symptoms and Take Action: Chest pain, upper body discomfort, shortness of breath, and cold sweats are some of the largest signs of a heart attack. Catch them early and call 911 for help. The sooner medical treatment begins, the better the chances of survival. 
• Celebrate Moderately: Unhealthy dieting habits can easily occur during this season, but you can eat smart by keeping track of your sodium intake, eating indulgent foods more moderately, and limiting your alcohol intake. 
• Be Active, But Avoid Overexertion: The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of physical activity during the holidays. Keep exercising, but don’t overexert yourself to help manage stress and keep your heart healthy. 
• Keep Taking Your Medications: Even with travel and busy schedules, taking your medications each time as needed can help promote the drug’s effectiveness and keep your blood pressure healthy. 
• Choose Your Parties Wisely: Spend time with the people you consider family most, avoid pushing yourself too far, and even skip parties if needed to care for your health. 
• Make Time To Rest: Rest by taking a few moments to relax, and even try relaxation techniques such as meditation and prayer to keep your heart calm and stable. 

Experience More Joy With A Healthy Heart

By caring for your heart, you can effectively enjoy the holiday season with those you consider family and move forward into the new year. If you’re unsure about your symptoms and need medical attention, visit your local urgent clinic to receive immediate medical care. 

Throughout our lives, we experience numerous moments that interfere with our normal routine. Studies have shown that these events can significantly impact our day-to-day lives. One area that seems to be frequently impacted is our activity levels. If not addressed in a proactive manner, it can have a significant impact on our heart health. Acknowledging these events’ impact on our activity level has led to ongoing studies. Below we’re going to expound upon some of the events that have been shown to change activity levels.

Life Events That Can Impact Activity Levels

The importance of studying the levels of physical activity adults and children participate in cannot be understated. There has been a mounting epidemic of obesity in the United States. This is aggravated by the fact that only 20% of all teenagers and 24% of adults get enough physical activity each day. These numbers are consistently low across all available samples. However, there has been a noted worsening of these rates in those who have suffered significant life events. These events aren’t necessarily traumatic. However, they represent a change in that person’s life paradigm. Some examples include

• Beginning a new career or their first job
• Becoming married
• Pregnancy
• Retirement
• Difficulties in parenting
• Transition to a long-term care facility

These events tend to upend the habits and traditions of an individual’s life. The ability to participate in these habits, such as daily visits to the gym, is often impacted. There may also be a notable impact on their social activities. Even indirectly, many social gatherings increase the amount of physical activity an individual gets. Other life factors have been shown to influence the level of activity individuals engage in.

• Limited educational background
• Poor access to safe outdoor areas to engage in physical activity
• Motor coordination
• Age
• Gender
• Poor body image
• Real or perceived barriers to participation

Their parents’ level of education influenced the weight and physical activities of those under 18 years of age. Those in communities with high crime rates, poor access to school programs, limited recreational facilities, and walkable areas also showed reduced activity levels. What can be done with all of these barriers influencing an individual’s ability to engage in physical activity?

How To Improve Your Physical Activity Levels

There are abundant ways to improve the amount of activity level you do each day. However, underneath all of these options lay the core issue. You must commit to improving your health and life by engaging in greater physical activity. There is no need for a gym or related equipment. Instead, you can reference the numerous websites and social media channels (Such as YouTube) that provide instructional videos and guides. You can also join community groups like MyFitnessPal and other physical fitness resources. Many of these sources are free and can provide significant options for engaging in physical activity at home. They can also provide important resources for improving the activity level that you may not have considered.

People active in sports, construction, or other high-energy activity can experience various forms of soft tissue damage. Soft tissue damage occurs along the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, and these injuries can cause pain, swelling, bruising, and other forms of damage. But deciding if you should see urgent care can be challenging when the pain becomes unbearable. This article will provide you with symptoms to watch out for and help you learn when to go to urgent care for a soft tissue injury. 

What Types of Soft Tissue Injuries Are There?

Sudden, hazardous impacts on the muscles, tendons, and ligaments typically cause soft tissue injuries. They can also be caused by excessive use of the soft tissues over time and most commonly occur during sports events. There are many different types of soft tissue injuries, including: 

• Contusions: Contusions are bruises that occur to the soft tissues from blunt force. Pain, swelling, and discoloration occur due to bleeding inside the tissues. 
• Sprains: Sprains are partial tears to the ligaments. The ligaments can get injured from sudden twists and wrenches to the affected area and typically occur along the ankles, wrists, and knees. 
• Strains: Strains are muscles or tendons that have been overused or overstretched. The muscles or tendons will feel sore, sensitive to sudden movements, and tight, and typically require rest to ensure healing. 
• Tendonitis: Tendonitis is an inflammatory condition in the tendon from overuse and repetitive motion. Elbows, wrists, knees, ankles, and other areas where tendons are found tend to experience this condition, usually caused by sports movements. 
• Bursitis: The bursa is a fluid-filled sac between the bones, muscles, and tendons; these areas can also get inflamed and are usually caused by overuse or direct trauma to the joint. 

When Will I Need To Go To Urgent Care For A Soft Tissue Injury? 

These conditions will usually require R.E.S.T, using ice compressions and elevating the area to help the injury heal within the first few days. However, urgent care is highly needed if a week has passed and the injury hasn’t shown any progress in healing or has worsened. Some symptoms to look out for when dealing with soft tissue injuries include: 

• Persistent pain or pain that radiates down the arms and legs
• The affected joint pops or cracks along the injury site or if the site is moved post-injury.
• Experience difficulties walking, sitting, or getting out of bed due to the injury.
• Numbness or tingling around the joint area or injury site
• Inability to move or bend the injury site due to throbbing, persistent pain
• All painful symptoms persist and cannot be relieved with over-the-counter pain relievers or other medications. 

If these symptoms occur, schedule an appointment with urgent care as soon as possible. When you visit an urgent care clinic, they can provide specialists for complex injury treatments, offer prescription-level pain medications, and help soothe pain while your injury heals. By visiting your local urgent care, they can diagnose your injury and recommend the best route to recovery.