Sprains and Strains
By Anya Rodgers
What is a 'sprain' and a 'strain'?
You may before have heard that an athletic friend of yours has sprained their ankle. Maybe when you were running or jogging one time you've felt a strain in your sides? Why does this happen? What does it mean? How can you keep it from happening?
Sprain- A sprain is an injury to a ligament in the body.
Ligament- A ligament is a band of tissue that connects two or more bones at a joint to prevent excess joint movement.
Strain- A strain is an injury to a muscle or a tendon.
Muscle- A muscle (not the clam!) is a tissue composed of special cells that can contract and produce movement and can be injured during exercise when not taken proper care of.
Tendons- A tendon is a band of tissue that connects muscle to bone.
Common cause #1- Twist
You can sprain your ankle (which is one of the most common places for spraining to happen) if you pull it or twist it in an awkward and unusual way.
Common cause #2- Overuse
Muscle strains can be caused by overuse of that particular muscle. Take a neck strain for instance; it can be caused by hunching over something. (A computer, a steering wheel, reading in bed with neck at an awkward angle)
Common cause #3- Age
With the inevitable older age comes wear and tear to the joints in your body.
Treatment for the injury
If a sprain/strain is not severe, simply holding ice on it, getting rest, compressing and elevating it should be enough to cure it. However, if it is severe, see a doctor. In some cases, surgery on torn ligaments, tendons, or muscles is required. Sometimes massages and chiropractic work can be helpful as well.
Prevention methods for the injury
If you have strain developing over timecaused by lack of exercise or movement, like daily endurance of joint pain, start taking action right away. Get massages, move that muscle group around, maybe even start exercising and stretching that group of muscles in a healthy way. don't let bad strains develop over years. This can decrease the amount of strain and pain caused by aging.