Tearing or stretching of ligaments resulting from in restriction of movement is what mainly causes sprains and strains. The primary reason for this type of injury is a collision or sudden change of direction. The most common affected parts of the body include the wrists, knees, and ankles.
Sprains and strains are due to the stretching and tearing of the muscles. This happens when the muscle contracts or stretches too far. This can turn into a chronic problem if the muscles tend to be overworked. This occurrence is usually termed as the pulling of a muscle. Some of the most common places for strains include the back and the hamstring.
Self-Care Measures
The best thing to do after experiencing a sprain or strain is to get lots of rest. Any kind of activity that may cause pain should be avoided. Any activity that may cause swelling or any other discomfort should also be put aside. You can still do exercises as to rejuvenate the muscles that need to be conditioned.
Using an icepack is a great way to alleviate some pain, swelling, and inflammation. You should keep the icepack on the affected area for up to twenty minutes and then repeat this process every three hours in order to minimize the pain.
You can also use compression to eliminate pain. Use bandages, elastic tapes, special boots, splints, and air casts to compress the pain. These things tighten the sprained or strained area and help you avoid further injury.
You can help decrease swelling by keeping the injured part of the body elevated. The best position is above your heart level to keep the injured part of your body elevated.
Here are 6 home remedies for sprains and strains —
Make pineapple an integral part of your diet in order to get well soon from the agonizing pain that comes with a sprain or strain. Pineapple has bromelain, an enzyme that speeds up the healing process. One side effect of bromelain is dermatitis. So if your skin starts to itch due to your pineapple diet, stop eating pineapples immediately.
To relieve yourself of the pain and swelling, consume ibuprofen and aspirin.
Another thing that can help in alleviating pain is massaging the affected area with comfrey cream or oil.
Dilute five drops of thyme oil with bathwater and use it as a compress to get rid of the swelling. You can also substitute thyme oil for a different type of oil.
Use arnica ointment or balm as a compress or cream for the affected area.
Horse chestnut also tends to be very effective for sprains and strains. Due the presence of a compound called aescin, horse chestnut is beneficial for all kinds of injuries. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. You can spread the gel on the hurt area every two or so hours until the pain subsides.
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