Strain: heat or cold
In addition to being painful, a strain can take a long time to heal. For rapid healing, it is particularly important to react correctly immediately after the injury. But what is best for the pulled muscle - warmth or cold?
Immediately after the injury - warm or cold?
- Sports physicians generally recommend cold as an immediate application for acute sports injuries such as strains, bruises or sprains. This reduces the blood flow and thus the formation of bruises, inflammation and tissue damage.
- Cooling should be carried out as soon as possible after the damage. In principle, anything that cools is suitable: ice, cold water, ice packs or frozen vegetables.
- The cooling should not be directly on the skin take place so that this is not damaged. So make sure you put at least one layer of clothing or a towel between the cool pack and body lies.
- It is cooled for about 20 minutes. If the injury was a long time ago, the application of cold is no longer necessarily beneficial. In this case, you should discuss with your doctor what treatment to take.
In no case should immediately after a strain Warmth should be applied to the injured part of the body as this could worsen the condition. Under certain circumstances, the application of heat at a later stage can accelerate healing somewhat. Always clarify this with the attending physician.
A strain on the tendon is extremely painful and needs treatment. Calm and ...
Further suitable immediate measures in the event of a strain
A strain is a stretching of the muscles beyond the normal load limit. As with many other sports injuries, experts recommend following what is known as the PECH rule:
- P stands for pause. If you suspect a strain or other injury, stop immediately and keep the affected part of the body as still as possible.
- E stands for ice. You have already learned how best to cool.
- C stands for compression. A solid one Association around the injury can limit the tissue damage in a manner similar to that of cooling.
- H stands for elevated position. Elevate the injured body region, if possible higher than the middle of the body.
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