Regardless of activity level, no one is immune to muscle strains. And what is a muscle strain? It’s damage to a muscle or tendon (AKA the tissue that attaches muscle to bone).1,2 A strain can be as mild as over-stretching and as severe as tearing in the muscle or tendon. Muscle strains are not limited to athletes, either; you can strain a muscle by lifting something too heavy (say, a box of books, or an eager grandkid). Using one muscle over and over can cause strain, as can falling, reaching, turning your head too far or too quickly... the list goes on.1
Whether you’re throwing passes or passing the potato salad, injuries happen. Along with that twinge in your shoulder or twisted ankle comes swelling and inflammation. Why?
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So you’ve messed up your ACL.
A painful injury, for sure, but at least you’re not alone. Every year, nearly a quarter of a million people in the U.S. and Canada injure their ACL (full name anterior cruciate ligament—try saying that after a couple of beers). Let’s take a look at why these types of injuries happen and some ACL rehab exercises to help you through recovery.
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A pulled back muscle can begin as a sudden, sharp pain when lifting or bending. The pain can also increase gradually, getting worse as the days go by. It’s a common injury, but there’s little comfort in that fact—especially if it stops you from doing the things you enjoy.
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What do you think of when you hear “pull a groin muscle?” We know, we know. Nothing fun. But get yourself out of the fetal position and listen up. First, most groin strains can be treated successfully at home. Second, there are ways to help manage the pain as you heal.
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Doctors sometimes recommend reverse shoulder replacement surgery for patients with a rotator cuff tear that cannot be repaired, or when other types of treatments have not worked for chronic shoulder pain that isn’t associated with arthritis. During surgery, the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder is replaced.1 However, unlike with a traditional total shoulder replacement, the positions of the ball and socket components are switched.2
All over the world, athletes test the limits of their bodies through all kinds of strenuous activities, such as workouts, marathons, and sports. These activities leave them open to the risk of injury, strains, and sprains.
Over the years, numerous methods have been used to help treat these injuries and get back to the game. One of the most common is to take medication designed to reduce pain. Although this can provide some relief, often the pain medication does not specifically target the injured or sprained area, instead providing general pain coverage.
To pinpoint problem areas specifically, athletes may utilize cold compression therapy. By using cold compression machines and wraps, they can target specific injured or stressed areas directly, speeding up the time it takes to recover and get back to the game. In addition, portable systems can be more efficient than having to sit in an ice bath or use ice packs and frozen vegetables that won’t last long at room temperature. Let’s learn more about how cold compression therapy can help athletes find relief from pain.
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Athletes continually participate in a variety of physical activities during training and practices. And, of course, with physical activity comes the possibility of injuries, ranging from mild to severe. According to a National Health Statistics Report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an estimated 8.6 million sports injuries occur each year.1 Every day you get on the field to practice or perform, the risk of injury is present. The good news is that cryotherapy—the use of cold to treat injuries—can offer relief and recovery for athletes looking to heal from injuries and sprains.
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Cold therapy is a time-tested method for obtaining relief from pain, especially when you are injured, strain a muscle, or are recovering from surgery. This technique is part of the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) method for healing and is widely used across the world. One of the common ways to utilize cold therapy is with an ice pack held in place with an elastic bandage.
Advances in technology have made it easier to apply cold therapy when you need it. Cold therapy machines work by circulating water through an ice reservoir. The reservoir connects to a wrap that provides the element of compression, which may help reduce swelling. With a cold therapy unit, you get the combined benefits of therapeutic cold and targeted pressure to aid in your healing.
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A broken bone can be painful, and one of the factors that contributes to this discomfort is excessive swelling. When tissues swell, they limit range of motion and increase nerve pressure, which may lead to additional pain.1
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