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Using
Moist Heat to Treat Sports Injuries
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About
Sports Injuries
People
who exercise vigorously run the risk of injuring
their muscles and ligaments. Common injuries include
pulled muscles and sprains. Such injuries are
especially prevalent when people begin to exercise
after long periods of inactivity.
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When
forcing a muscle during exercise, especially if the
activity is unfamiliar, the muscle may overstretch and
some fibers may tear. This results in a pulled muscle.
When the injury occurs, the main symptom is pain. Afterwards,
the pulled muscle feels tender and may become swollen.
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Similarly,
ligaments may tear if a joint is stressed excessively.
A sprain can occur in any joint, but the knees,
ankles, and fingers are especially susceptible
to such tears. The level of pain depends on
the extent of the injury, and swelling and skin
discoloration are likely to occur.
Treatment
for Sports Injuries
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The
aim of treatment is to reduce pain and swelling while
helping the natural healing process. During the acute
(right after injury) phase, treatment usually includes
rest, ice, compression, and elevation. The treatment
should begin within a few minutes of the injury. In
any case, the sooner the treatment begins, the more
effective it will be. Following are some general guidelines
on how to treat sports injuries; for details about frequency
and duration you may want to consult a medical professional.
The
first step is to stop the sport activity
and rest. Next, apply ice to the injured area. Make
an ice pack by simply putting crushed ice in a plastic
bag and wrapping the bag in a towel to protect skin.
If ice is not available, anything cold will do, such
as a cold can of soda or a bag of frozen peas etc. Between
ice treatments, use a bandage for compression. Make
sure the bandage is not to tight, and take it off every
couple of hours to check for swelling and to re-apply
ice. In addition, keep the injured area elevated as
much as possible to decrease the throbbing pain and
swelling.
After
the acute phase (e.g., after there has been no increase
in swelling for 24 hours), therapeutic heat can help
the healing process. Moist heat increases the circulation
in the injured area. This increase in blood flow brings
in fresh oxygen, takes away waste, and speeds up recovery.
For
heat therapy, the Thermophore "Petite" and
"Medium" packs are ideal for the shoulders,
elbows, knees, and ankles. The "muff" is designed
for hand injuries, and the "Standard" pack
is suited for larger areas such as the back. For most
effective treatment, build up heat quickly and maintain
the heat as high as you are able to tolerate. Continue
treatment for 15-30 minutes.
*Caution
should be used if you have insensitive skin
or poor circulation |
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