For many of us, muscle injury is something we’ve dealt with at one point or another. No matter what your level of fitness or your activity, muscle injury can occur at any time. However, there are some things that you can do to prevent things like pulled muscles, strained backs, or bum knees, like:
- Drinking enough water
- Making sure to do a warm up before exercise
- Doing a cool down after exercise
- Staying properly nourished by eating a balanced diet
- Stretching thoroughly before and after exercise
- Wearing the right clothing and shoes
- Following proper technique
- Observing safety and sport precautions
All of these things can help reduce the incidence of injury, but sometimes, the inevitable happens and you end up with a painful joint or muscle. When that happens, it’s best to take things easy for awhile. Modify your routine to reduce stress on the injury, taking care to not further injury the joint or muscle. Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated and to flush out the toxins in your body.
After the injury has occurred, start by applying a cold compress to the area, to bring down inflammation. IceWave Patches can also aid in reducing acute inflammation caused by muscle injury. During the next few days, apply warm compresses to loosen the muscle. Also, consider taking Acute Phase, a combination supplement that’s designed to help reduce inflammation and promote healing. You can also consider other supplements, like Fibroplex 120 and ChondroCare to aid in the healing and prevention of muscle injury moving forward.
Eating a nutritious diet and getting enough rest during the healing period is also essential, as it ensures that your body has what it needs to heal. Some may find that meditation, acupuncture, or massage therapy can aid in the recovery process as well.
For more information on dealing with athletic injuries, check out our Athletic Injury Basics.