What is a Sprained Muscle? Is it Serious or Not?
Many athletes, especially weekend warriors and those that spend long periods of time in the gym, are not even sure what is a sprained muscle. If you are an athlete or just someone who spends a lot of time out on your feet then you have probably been in a situation where you have pulled or strained a muscle. This type of injury is not one that you can “get back” easily, but that does not mean you cannot make it better. There are several things you can do to prevent further injury and make it easier to get back into shape as quickly as possible. If you keep these things in mind, you will be much more likely to avoid serious injury and to heal faster.
Even if you pull a muscle in the gym or while doing a strenuous activity, it is still usually only a sprain. This term refers to a condition that causes a small amount of pain. A strain is something that causes great pain and is much more serious than a sprain. Sprains occur when the muscle has pulled too far backwards. They can also come about from a direct blow to the area.
As you can see, you are not likely to get a full recovery from what is a sprained muscle. You will most likely be able to limber up again after about 24 hours, though this can vary depending on the severity of the injury. Some people can play through the pain and go back to work the next day, while others need to take time off from work until the swelling goes down and the muscles heal.
When you look at a sprained muscle, it is important to consider the fact that it is not likely to heal by itself. It takes time for the muscle to heal, and any activity that pulls on it during this healing process may actually cause more damage. Anytime that you are engaging in activities that would normally cause an injury, you should wear the proper protection. If the injury is minor, you may be able to play through it, and more severe injuries require you to visit an orthopedic doctor. While you will be treated for your injury, you can still learn what is a sprained muscle through rest and over-the-counter pain medication.
You should rest the injured muscle completely, but you should avoid resting for too long. Lifting weights while you are resting is often encouraged so that you can build up strength and improve your endurance. However, you should allow your muscles to rest for a few days before you begin any strenuous activity. After the final resting period, you should begin a weight-bearing program to repair your what is a sprained muscle.
There are several things that you can do to reduce the pain of a sprained muscle. One thing that you can do is to ice your muscles. Icing your muscles will help them to relax and take some pressure off of them. This should be done about 15 minutes before you begin any sort of weight-bearing activities. Another method that you can try is to use heat compress. Heat compress is great because it will loosen up your muscles, which will in turn relieve the joint pain.
In cases where physical therapy is not an option, you can always opt to take an over the counter pain reliever that contains acetaminophen. This will help to control the inflammation and take away the pain. However, you should be careful not to consume too much of it, as it could lead to liver damage, which could eventually lead to liver failure.
If you are looking for a permanent solution to what is a sprained muscle, then you should definitely consider surgery. However, you should always take into consideration that there is a chance that you may have to deal with the same problem down the road. You should also know that there is a chance that the results from surgery will not be permanent. For this reason, it is best to consider alternatives to surgery. These alternatives are much more affordable and carry less of a risk of negative side effects. As previously stated, if physical therapy does not work, then you should look into prescription medications that are readily available over-the-counter.
