Seniors Matter(s): Sprains and strains!
By: Bill Pike
November 1, 2023
People who play sports or are physically active are familiar with sprains (a stretched or torn ligament) and strains (a stretched or torn muscle or tendon). Both cause swelling and inflammation. Sprains can give you bruises. Strains may trigger muscle spasms.
Use the RICE method for early treatment – Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever. See a doctor if you have numbness or tingling, you can't move a joint, or it doesn't get better within a week.
A tension headache is a common type that feels as if a band is squeezing your head. OTC painkillers, rest, and drinking water will often do the trick. Your headache should go away within hours, but it could last a couple of days. Plenty of rest, proper massage, less stress, and lots of fluids (without caffeine) may help you avoid one.
Migraines are a debilitating throbbing pain in the front or side of your head that can put a hold on your daily activities. You might feel sick to your stomach, be sensitive to light, or have other symptoms. Find somewhere dark and quiet to rest. An ice pack may numb pain; a heating pad can relax tense muscles. An OTC pain reliever may help if you catch a migraine early. Some people need a prescription to treat or prevent them.
Since your neck is less protected than the rest of your spine, it’s vulnerable to sprains and strains. Those pains are usually temporary, and often, you won't need a doctor. Regular wear-and-tear, such as the discs breaking down, can also hurt. Good posture helps prevent pain.
As we age, back pain becomes more common. Back pain can be dull or sharp and last months at a time. Being overweight and lifting something the wrong way, can cause it. Diseases, including arthritis and cancer, can affect your back and spine, and your genes can play a role, too. Treatments for most types of back pain include OTC medications, hot and cold packs, exercise, yoga, and massage.
A frozen shoulder pain is usually worse at night when you lie on that side. Simple, everyday tasks can be hard to do. Your shoulder becomes stiff to the point where you can't move it. Exercises and physical therapy can improve your range of motion. It mostly happens to people between the age of 40 and 60. Women and people with diabetes are more likely to have this problem.
Tendinitis and bursitis are swelling around a muscle or bone, usually brought on by the overuse or injury of a joint, such as your ankle, elbow, knee, hip, shoulder, or wrist. Treat these with RICE, too. Call your doctor if the pain and swelling are bad, get worse, or if there's any redness or warmth.
Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in North America and is part of a group of more than 100 diseases that cause joint pain. Symptoms, which may come and go, often include swelling, pain, stiffness, and limited motion. They could be the result of wear-and-tear or of inflammation triggered by your immune system. Arthritis usually can't be cured, but you can often ease pain and manage the condition with your doctor's help.
Sciatica is shooting pain that can make either sitting or standing uncomfortable. You might feel weak, numb, and a burning or tingling in your leg, but it's not a cramp. It's a pinched nerve in your lower back. Sneezing and coughing can sharpen the pain. Sciatica usually goes away in a few weeks with rest and gentle exercise, but you should see your doctor. Most people who get it are between the age of 30 and 50.
If you have sore or swollen feet, you should rest and put your feet up! Ice them for 15-20 minutes at a time. If you must stand on a hard surface all day, try compression stockings, wear shoes with good support, and take breaks off your feet when you can. Women and people who have flat feet or high arches, are more prone to plantar fasciitis, which makes the bottom of your heel hurt. Stretching is good for that.
It is nice to know that sprains and strains are fixable, but the journey to health can often be lengthy and painful.
‘Till next time!
Comment on this story? Click here.
Related Stories
No related stories.
