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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
PRIMABAND CONFORMING is an elastic conforming retention bandagePRIMABAND CONFORMING is an elastic conforming retention bandage suitable for high-movement areas such as joints. It is suitable for ac...
$4.99 Earn 5 points Living Reward Points
Sealtight Adult Short Leg 61Cm
Life Pharmacy Orewa
Durable non-slip polyvinyl bag allows you to keep your cast dry Ideal for acute injuries, diabetics and patients with leg ulcers Reusable and will last for six to eight weeks with daily use Allows ...
$53.99 Earn 54 points Living Reward Points
Sealtight Cast Protectors Adult Arm 76Cm
Life Pharmacy Orewa
The Sealtight Cast Protectors Adult Arm 76cm is a product designed to help protect a cast or bandage from getting wet or dirty while showering, bathing, or swimming. The protector is made of a dura...
$49.99 Earn 50 points Living Reward Points
Cutiplast Sterile Dress 10Cmx8Cm
Life Pharmacy Orewa
Adhesive fabric dressing with a conformable pad and low-allergy adhesive.cuts,grazes,surgical wounds
$3.50 Earn 3.5 points Living Reward Points
Sealtight Cast Protectors Adult Leg 81Cm
Life Pharmacy Orewa
Sealtight Cast Protectors Adult Leg 81cm is a medical product designed to protect a cast or bandage from getting wet during bathing or showering. It is specifically designed for adults with leg cas...
$49.99 Earn 50 points Living Reward Points
Life Pharmacy Orewa
Lifts and supports arch of foot. Provides compression and soothing warmth. Adjustable strap for customized fit and support. Soft, breathable materials.Swelling; Mild ArthritisCAUTION: This Product ...
$29.99 Earn 30 points Living Reward Points
Futuro Neck Cervical Collar Adj
Life Pharmacy Orewa
Adjustable straps for both height and circumference. Chin strap adjusts collar height for comfort and fit. Breathable foam covered with soft, smooth knit material.Whip-lash; Pinched Nerve; Mild Nec...
$39.99 Earn 40 points Living Reward Points
Nexcare Absolute Waterproof Tape 25Mm X 4.5 M
Life Pharmacy Orewa
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$14.99 Earn 15 points Living Reward Points
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