My Bag
What is strain?
A strain is caused by an injury to a muscle or tendon from overuse, causing chronic strains, or from a twist to that area causing an acute strain. Common chronic strains are back injuries and tennis elbow. An acute strain is often caused by twisting or a blow to that area, such as a hamstring strain. Most minor strains heal within two weeks, but moderate to severe strains may take some months to heal the damage to ruptured muscle fibres.
What is sprain?
A sprain is an injury to a ligament, commonly from overstretching the ankles or wrists after a fall. Sprains may be mild with a little pain on movement of the area and no long term effects. Moderate to severe sprains result in tears to the ligament with bruising, swelling and difficulty putting weight or pressure on that area because of the pain. The pain from a severe sprain may be similar to that of broken bones, so for these injuries an X-ray should always be taken to prevent untreated fractures.
RICE – Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.
- Rest – try to reduce any weight or exercise to that area, especially for the first 48 hours.
- Ice – use an icepack, or unopened packed of frozen vegetables, wrapped in a dry cloth, for up to 20 minutes every two or three hours while pain and swelling is present.
- Compression – use elastic bandages or joint supports to support the injured area and wear them whenever the area is painful.
- Elevation – raising the injured area above the level of the heart for the first 24 to 48 hours will help to decrease swelling to the area.
All moderate to severe injuries should be checked by a doctor, physiotherapist or emergency clinic. If it is too painful to put any weight or pressure on an injured area, or there is pronounced swelling, bleeding or bruising, then prompt medical treatment is a priority.
We are available for support
Your community pharmacy has many different types of supports and elastic wraps to support injuries to different areas. If you are using a supporting wrap it is important to get advice regarding the correct size for your body and injury.
Pharmacists can help you treat and prevent sprains and strains. They can provide good advice about the best compression product to ease injuries, as well as the right pain relieving treatments to ensure that you can recover from your injury and rehabilitate the injured area to prevent further sprains and strains in the future.
If you have an injury, such as a sprain or strain, consult your community pharmacist as they will refer you for further medical help if needed, or provide you with what you need to help you recover.
Contact our pharmacyFIRST AID PRODUCTS
Scholl Ib Ortho Insol Lower Back Sml 1Ea
Life Pharmacy Orewa
Scholl Ib Ortho Insol Lower Back Sml 1Ea Experience unparalleled comfort and support with Scholl Ib Ortho Insoles, designed specifically for lower back pain relief. Perfect for everyday use, these...
$39.99 $49.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Usl Sport Gel Max Hi Impact Youth
Life Pharmacy Orewa
The gel max mouthguard will reduce the risk of concussion if you or one of your kids or team mates are involved in a collision or heavy contact.
$10.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Usl Sport Mouthguard Junior Fluro
Life Pharmacy Orewa
USL Sport Mouthguards provide protection for your teeth and mouth. The mouthguard will reduce the risk of concussion if you or one of your kids or team mates are involved in a collision or heavy co...
$6.99 $9.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Omron Probe Covers For Th839S 40 Pack
Life Pharmacy Orewa
The Omron Probe Covers for TH839S are disposable covers designed to fit over the probe of the Omron TH839S ear thermometer. The covers are intended to protect the probe from contamination and help ...
$27.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Smith & Nephew Melolin 10Cm X 20Cm
Life Pharmacy Orewa
An absorbent cushioning wound padCushioning wound pad suitable for cuts, grazes and minor burns
$4.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Opsite Flexigrid Film Dres 6Cmx7Cm 100
Life Pharmacy Orewa
OPSITE FLEXIGRID is a sterile film dressing that facilitates moist wound healing for superficial wounds such as clean grazes and minor burns. The dressing can be left in place for up to fourteen da...
$2.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Life Pharmacy Orewa
Soov Burn Spray helps calms sore and tender skin. The gentle spray-on application avoids the need for rubbing tender skin, and helps provide fast-acting relief from minor burns and sunburn. - Us...
$19.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Smith & Nephew Priimacrepe Bandage Med 7.5Cm X 1.6M
Life Pharmacy Orewa
PRIMACREPE MEDIUM is a white elastic crepe retention bandagePRIMACREPE MEDIUM is a white elastic crepe retention bandage for use where light support is required
$7.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Payment Options
