Muscle strain is especially frustrating, not only because of the pain and discomfort experienced as symptoms, but also because, unlike when you break a bone, the problem is entirely invisible to the naked eye.
So, if you or somebody you love is currently suffering from a muscle strain in their arm, leg, or another part of the body entirely, continue reading to learn how to treat and hopefully entirely eradicate the issue.
Cold Compresses & Rest
If you are fully aware of the cause of your sprain, for the first couple of days at least, it makes sense to first attempt to treat it yourself at home, before taking things to the next step.
Regardless of the cause of your muscle strain, if you feel as if the cold, icy compress is not doing much to alleviate the pain, then try a heat pack wrapped in fabric and hold it directly onto the skin. Additionally, try to elevate the muscle as best as possible and rest, especially for the first day or two.
Know the Signs of Serious Injury
Generally, muscle strain is nothing more than a painful inconvenience which will recede over time with care and rest. However, there are several warning signs that you need to be fully aware of, all of which means you should seek professional medical attention immediately:
- You are unable to move your one or both legs, arms, and other joints
- The swelling gets worse as the hours and days go on
- Your muscle becomes increasingly painful
Arrange an MRI Scan
If, conversely, you are at a loss as to what could have caused your muscle strain, it is strongly advisable for you to contact an established clinic to arrange a professional Express MRI for a comprehensive MRI scan.
Not only is an MRI entirely painless, but it is also by far the most efficient way of determining the root cause of your muscle strain and can lead to further examination and subsequent treatment options. In addition, the MRI scan is arranged for just a few days’ time, so you will waste no time in finding what has caused the pain and treating it properly.
Learn How to Prevent Muscle Strain in the Future
As well as discovering the cause of your current muscle strain issue and resting and recuperating, whilst following the correct treatment procedure, it would also be advisable to spend time learning how to prevent future issues.
There are several commonly associated risks, such as infection, prolonged length of healing time, blood clots, muscle stiffness, and bleeding around the area which can all be caused by numerous catalysts.
To prevent muscle strain in the future, especially if you are into sports or physically active, you should properly stretch your muscles every day and always warm up and cool down before and after intense periods of activity and exercise. Additionally, always have a bottle of water to hand when exercising and try to eat meals which contain high levels of potassium, such as avocado and bananas.
