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
Life Pharmacy Orewa
Provides support for bumps, bruises and strains. Arnica oil helps support the body's healing response to sprains and bruising. Common Uses - Natural ingredients - Mild fragrance - Fast acting temp...
$20.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Kinetik Wellbeing Thermometer - Ear & Forehead
Life Pharmacy Orewa
The Kinetik Wellbeing Ear and Forehead Thermometer uses infra-red technology, to accurately measure temperature to within ±0.2°C. It is simple to use and gives a reading in just 1 second. Addition...
$79.99 $94.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Dermasoft Alc Free Hand Sanitiser 350ml
Life Pharmacy Orewa
DERMASOFT Alcohol Free Hand Sanitiser is gentle for your skin, safe, non-drying, non-irritating, non-flammable and biodegradable. Effective, Proven, and Laboratory Tested Works Instantly and Kills ...
$13.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Life Pharmacy Orewa
QV Skin Lotion helps hydrate and soothe dry and sensitive skin. With a luxuriously light formulation, it's easy to apply to all parts of the body. For best results, apply after your bath or shower....
$15.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Life Pharmacy Orewa
Scholl Callus Removal Pads are especially developed for use on calluses. Contains fast acting medicated discs with Time-Release Action. - The disc ensures only the specific problem area is treated,...
$13.99 $16.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Life Pharmacy Orewa
Our best selling patch acts like a second layer of skin. It absorbs moisture and forms a protective cushion to provide instant pain relief and optimum healing conditions Suggested Use Should a blis...
$15.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Life Pharmacy Orewa
General Information Antiseptic cream. Bepanthen Cream (50g) is an antiseptic ointment that helps protect compromised skin from infections, and offers relief for cuts, abrasions, chafing, cracking...
$16.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Life Pharmacy Orewa
Helps provide reliable support to weak or injured knees. Breathable, dual-stretch knit material for comfort. Fits discreetly under clothing.General Soreness' Swelling' Mild ArthritisAlways read the...
$34.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Payment Options
