Strain – Overview, Causes, and How to Deal With It?
Strain – Overview, Causes, and How to Deal With It?
A strain is an orthopedic injury of muscles or tendons (bands of tissues that help to connect bones with muscles). When a muscle or a tendon gets stretched beyond its limits, it can even tear apart, be it partial or severe. Such injury is very common amongst athletes but is definitely not reserved to only them.
What causes strain?
Strain could be a result of muscle injury caused due to a fall or even a twist. However, the chances of strain increase with time. This is because of the overuse of muscles over the years. You must have heard aged people complaining about joint pain. The reason behind it is the wear and tear of the muscles that also increases the chances of strain.
Some common symptoms of strain
When you fall or twist your muscles, you get to know that you’ve given strain an invitation. However, there are some specific symptoms that you can look for if you’re confused if it’s actually a strain.
· Pain when the injured part is moved
· Pain while even at rest
· Redness
· Bruising and swelling
· Inability to move the injured part
Should you visit the doctor?
Although strain is healed over time with minimal treatment, yet you need not take any risk and see the doctor if you have severe pain and are unable to move the strained part. The tenderness of the injured area, inability to move the area and numbness are some symptoms that warn you to visit the doctor as soon as possible for better and quick recovery.
Best treatment options for strain
R.I.C.E approach is considered the most effective and easiest way to treat strain at home. However, please be informed that you should keep the case at your home only if it’s on the lower end of the pain scale. In other cases, you should rely on the doctor and his medications.
· Rest: Allow the injured part to be at rest for as long as possible. Avoid any kind of physical activity that would make that part move. Doing this just for a week will help in the reduction of pain as well as swelling. Don’t force yourself to be at work just because you don’t want to sit idle.
· Ice: An ice pack can help you reduce the swelling of the injured part. So, grab few ice cubes and wrap it in a cotton cloth and apply it on the area. You can also soak in an ice bath, if possible.
· Compression: It is important to compress the injured part to protect it from further injury. Make sure you don’t apply the wrap tight enough to stop the blood circulation.
· Elevation: Use soft support to elevate the injured part to boost up its recovery.
Things to be kept in mind
1. Warm your muscles up before you indulge yourself into any kind of physical activity.
2. Stretch daily and develop an exercise routine to be followed every day.
3. Serve your body all the 13 types of vitamins that it requires to operate efficiently.
