Muscle strains and sprains are some of the most common injuries each year. Millions of people experience these types of injuries every year while playing sports or as a result of everyday accidents. Muscle strains and sprains can happen to anyone of any age and anyone of almost any activity level. So, how are muscle strains and sprains treated?
How are Muscle Strains and Sprains Treated?
Connective tissue disorders along with conditions such as arthritis could make it more likely that you develop muscle strains or sprains. Arthritis can affect the tissues that connect and support joints, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Certain types of weather can also make it more likely to strain a muscle, for example, when muscles have gone cold and tense.
Common Symptoms of Muscle Strains and Sprains
Symptoms of a sprain may include:
- pain
- swelling
- bruising
- difficulty using the affected joint
The best treatment for a sprain includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.).
Symptoms of a strain or pulled muscle may include:
- pain
- muscle spasms
- swelling
- difficulty moving the affected muscle
The best treatment for a strain (pulled muscle) also includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.).
Here are some of the most common treatments for muscle injuries, along with tips to help treat a muscle injury at home.
Keep the Affected Body Part Still
In the event of a muscle injury, it is important to keep the affected ligament or muscle as still as possible. Any unnecessary movement could cause the injury to worsen. The first step is usually to immobilize the injury.
Don’t force or place any unnecessary pressure on the affected part of your body. This can cause worse damage than the initial problem.
Apply Heat
For most muscle injuries, a hot compress is advised. For some types of injuries where bruising or bleeding is suspected, a cold compress might be the advised option. You should apply ice for 10 to 20 minutes at a time a few times a day.
Applying heat to the injured area allows the inflammation to go down. It allows for a closer inspection of the injury (and what other damage might be present).
A compress that is applied to a strain or sprain should never be too hot (or cold), and should not remain there for long periods.
Anti-Inflammatory Medication
For severe strains and sprains, medical professionals recommend using anti-inflammatory medication to reduce the risk of further injury. Along with keeping the injury still, anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen can reduce the body’s reaction to the inflammation. This could be what the patient needs to reduce the associated swelling and pain.
Recovery Exercises
Any serious muscle sprain or strain needs slow exercise or physical therapy to recover. For the best results, seek the help of a qualified medical professional. Don’t risk over-straining a strained muscle, and accidentally causing yourself more damage.
Start small, and make sure that you’re not trying to force recovery for a strain or sprain too fast. It may take a few weeks or months to heal and regain your range of motion.
Muscle Rubs
Along with some of the methods mentioned in this article, muscle rubs can also be a quick trick to reduce inflammation in an affected muscle in the event of an injury. Most rubs contain ingredients that go directly to the affected muscle, bringing relief to swelling and often a cooling effect that reduces the amount of pain associated with the injury. Unlike anti-inflammatory medications taken by mouth, there are usually no adverse effects associated with the digestive system with the use of muscle rubs.
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