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Sprains
and Strains
Sprains and strains
are common injuries of the ligaments and muscles.
What to look for
Sprains, which affect
joints, and strains which affect muscles, usually occur after an accident.
For a sprain:
For a strain:
sharp pain at injury,
followed by stiffness, tenderness, and in some cases, swelling.
Sprains and strains are
among the most common injuries. A sprain is the tearing of ligaments, the tissue that
connect bones to one another at a joint. The most common sprains are ankles, wrists and
thumbs. A strain damages muscle tissue either stretching or tearing it.
These injuries are not
fatal and can usually heal themselves. If the injury is more severe it may require
surgical repair. This type of damage may weaken the muscles or bones and make them
susceptible to injuries in the future. (See also Muscle Pain,
tendonitis, Groin Strain, Hamstring Injury.)
Causes
Any accident or occurrence
that stresses the joints or muscles beyond their normal tolerance. A new sport or
activity, a fall, lifting heavy objects and being overweight.
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Traditional Treatment
Your doctor will wish to
treat the pain to make it bearable as well as the swelling. You will need to rest the area
as much as possible.
Most sprains and strains
heal in two to three weeks. Doctors routinely prescribe rest, ice, compression, and
elevation immediately following the injury, along with a pain killer. He or she may apply
bandages or suggest you use crutches to support the limb while it is healing.
Alternative/natural
Treatments
Alternative therapies may
help relieve the pain and swelling associated with sprains and strains.
Chinese Herbs - A
practitioner of Chinese medicine may use a poultice of gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides),
flour, and wine to reduce swelling and promote healing. Massage with the extracted oil of
safflower flower (Carthamus tinctorius) is believed to improve circulation, which
encourages healing. A
practitioner of Chinese medicine may use a poultice of gardenia (Gardenia
jasminoides),
flour, and wine to reduce swelling and promote healing. Massage with the extracted oil of
safflower flower (Carthamus tinctorius) is believed to improve circulation, which
encourages healing.
Homoeopathy - The
anti-inflammatory action of homoeopathic preparations of Arnica, taken orally, may relieve pain. The
anti-inflammatory action of homoeopathic preparations of Arnica, taken orally, may relieve pain.
Dietary
Considerations
Vitamin C, beta carotene (vitamin A), zinc, vitamin E, and selenium often help speed recovery of
sprains and strains.
Hot water bottles applied
to the area will help eventually.
Herbal
Treatments - For sprains, immediately apply ice to the area, elevate
the affected limb, Rest it and apply arnica as a cream
or tincture, or a compress of both arnica and comfrey
root. Apply directly on the swelling. For sprains, immediately apply ice to the area, elevate
the affected limb, Rest it and apply arnica as a cream
or tincture, or a compress of both arnica and comfrey
root. Apply directly on the swelling.
Vitamin C and horsetail
will help the healing of muscle tissue.
Prevention
Always warm up before doing
anything strenuous or when you are going to lift something heavy. Keep strong and fit so
your muscles can accept more strenuous activity.
When to seek further
professional advice
the pain, swelling, or
stiffness does not improve in two to three days.
you can't move or bear
weight on an injured joint.
the bones are not aligned
properly.
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