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Whether it’s jogging, golf, tennis, swimming, baseball or soccer, making physical activity part of our daily life is beneficial on many levels. But keep in mind that sports injuries can happen to anyone. Here are ways to prevent them, if possible, and treat them if they occur.
There are several prevention measures you can take to avoid injuring yourself while exercising:
Cramps, a pulled muscle, a sprain, tennis elbow, swimmer’s shoulder or Achilles tendinitis are common types of injuries you can develop even when you take the necessary precautions. If you have injured yourself, here are some recommendations you can follow for the first 48 to 72 hours:
To ease the pain, you can also take over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen, or an anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen, for a maximum of 2 to 3 days.
While there is some debate as to the use of heat or ice for sports injuries, their effects are actually well documented.
Heat therapy is recommended for cramps, muscle soreness, spasms and pain, stiffness and even arthritis. It is not recommended for sprains, pulled muscles or bruises.
Cold therapy is suitable for injuries involving inflammation (sprains, tears, pulled muscles, bruises) and headaches.
Whether you use hot or cold therapy for your injury, the instructions are the same: apply the compress to the area for 10 to 15 minutes, every 1 to 2 hours for the first 2 days.
Rigid and semi-rigid braces are designed to support or stabilize joints. When it comes to sports injuries, they can help in two ways:
Braces come in all varieties. Some have cotton, nylon or lycra cuffs or gel heels and cushions, others are designed to improve foot comfort for conditions such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis or heel spurs.
If you have experienced a sports or work-related injury, your family pharmacist can give you valuable advice on first aid care. He or she can also recommend the right orthopedic devices and show you how to properly adjust and use them or, depending on the severity of your injury, refer you to a doctor.
[UNIPRIX] - The information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide complete information on the subject matter or to replace the advice of a health professional. This information does not constitute medical consultation, diagnosis or opinion and should not be interpreted as such. Please consult your health care provider if you have any questions about your health, medications or treatment.