Strained Muscles: However, Whenever, Wherever the Pain, There Is WhatEver PocKits
Strained injured muscles are the result of muscular-fiber tears due to over stretching. Strains are not restricted to athletes and can happen while doing everyday tasks, people who play sports are more at risk of developing a strain. The injury usually occurs as a result of fatigue, overuse, or improper use of a muscle. Strains can happen in any muscle, but are most common in your lower back, neck, shoulder, and hamstring.
Causes of Strained Injured Muscles Include:
Acute strained muscles can happen when you do not warm up properly before physical activity. Poor flexibility and poor conditioning. Overexertion and fatigue. Improper use of a muscle. Slipping or loosing your footing. Lifting heavy objects or lifting in an awkward position.
Chronic strained injured muscles are the result of repetitive movement. This can be due to: sports like rowing, tennis, golf, or baseball holding your back or neck in an awkward position for long periods of time, such as when you work at a desk poor posture
Strained Injured Muscles: Symptoms of
You will generally feel a muscle strain as it occurs. Symptoms include: sudden onset of pain, soreness, limited range of movement, bruising or discoloration, swelling, a “knotted up” feeling, muscle spasms, stiffness, weakness. In the case of a mild strain, a torn muscle may feel slightly stiff, but still flexible enough for use. A severe muscle strain is when the muscle is severely torn, resulting in pain and very limited movement, within the affected muscle group. Mild to moderate strains can be successfully treated at home with ice, heat, and anti-inflammatory medications. Severe strains or tears may require medical treatment.
Treatment For Injured Muscles:
The first-line treatment for strained injured muscles, in the acute phase include five steps commonly known as P.R.I.C.E; Protection: Apply soft padding to minimize impact with objects.
Rest:
Rest is necessary to accelerate healing and reduce the potential for being injured again. Too much rest can cause muscles to become weak, which can prolong the healing process. After two days, slowly begin using the affected muscle group, taking care not to overdo it.
Ice:
Apply ice to reduce swelling by reducing blood flow to the strained muscle injury site. Never ice for more than 20 minutes at a time. Do not put ice directly on your skin—use an ice pack or wrap (the WhatEver Pockit kit can be used as an ice wrap or ice garment). Keep the ice on your muscle for about 20 minutes. Repeat every hour on the first day. For the next several days, apply ice about every four hours.
Compression:
To reduce swelling, wrap the affected area with an elastic bandage until swelling comes down (the WhatEver Pockit kit can be used to provide compression). Be careful not to wrap the area too tightly, as this can reduce blood circulation.
Elevation:
Keep the strained or injured area as close to the level of the heart as is conveniently possible to keep blood from pooling in the injured area.
The WhatEver Pockit kit can be used as a cold compression therapy wrap, which is a useful way to combine icing and compression to stop swelling and pain.
For mild to moderate strains, home treatment should be enough. See a doctor if the injury is accompanied by severe pain, if the limb cannot be used, or if there is noticeable tenderness over an isolated spot. These can be signs of a broken or fractured bone, a sprain, or a complete muscle tear.
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