Sports Injury

77 SPORTS INJURIES - TREATING WITH HOLD AND COLD THERAPY

With people increasingly continuing to play sport in their adult lives and be active, sports injuries are on the increase. Pharmacies are usually the first port of call particularly for men who are less likely to attend their GP. It is important therefore to be thorough in identifying the cause of the injury and providing appropriate and helpful care.

Sports injuries can be caused by many things including: • an accident

• insufficient warm-up/ no warm-up • using poor technique or inappropriate equipment • pushing oneself too hard

Treating Sports Injuries

Sport injuries can affect almost any part of the body, including the muscles, bones, joints and connective tissues (tendons and ligaments). Every athlete is different whether it is a tennis player or a swimmer, using different muscle groups, different equipment and different strategies. As such, the pharmacy can see a multitude of ailments including strains and strains, possible broken bones, head injuries, joint inflammation, heel pain, back pain, knee and ligament issues, skin conditions, and hamstring injuries.

Topical Analgesics

Topical pain relief products are applied externally to the skin where they exert an analgesic effect. External analgesics (counter-irritants) are widely used choices for care of sports injuries that result in pain, swelling, bruising and tenderness around a joint or in a muscle. Applied topically, they provide a sensation of heat, such as methyl salicylate or coolness, such as menthol. When recommending any of the products on offer for the treatment of sports injuries, several precautions should be communicated to the patient. These analgesics should not be used in patients under the age of five years. Nor should they be used if symptoms persist for more than seven days, or clear up but recur within a few days. They should only be used three to four times daily and discontinued if the condition worsens. The area should not be bandaged, and the products should not be applied to wounds or broken skin. They should never be used with any source of external heat, such as a heating pad.

Why recommend a topical product?

• Some people are concerned about taking pills and topical products can offer an alternative. • GPs and Physiotherapists may recommend topical analgesics as first line treatment for muscular aches, pain and injuries. • Not all topical analgesics are the same – some can offer additional benefits, such as hot and cold therapy, which assist with healing and recovery. • Topical products are associated with fewer gastric side effects than oral pain relief. • Creams, gels and patches can provide alternative pain relief to customers who cannot take oral pain relief.

Heat Therapy

Heat increases blood flow to the affected area providing oxygen and nutrients to aid the healing process and help restore movement. Heat should be applied the affected area where pain is felt. It can be used before exercise as part of a warm up where previous injury has occurred. Heat therapy is suitable for: • Stiff, aching muscles • Muscular back pain • Before exercise (for muscular aches and pains) When heat is applied to the body, it activates receptors in the skin which then send signals to the brain which dilute the pain. The benefits of heat treatment are:

• Comforting, warming pain relief • Can help soft tissue recovery after injury • Alternative to taking oral painkillers

Cold Therapy

When cold is applied it causes the blood vessels to constrict. This can help minimise damage and thereby reduce the amount of repair needed. Cold should be applied to the affected area as soon as possible after injury when pain is felt. Treatments should continue until all swelling has subsided (can take up to 72 hours) Cold therapy is suitable for: • Sprains, strains, after injury • Sharp, shooting muscle pain • Muscular back pain during pregnancy When cold is applied to the body, it activates receptors in the skin which then send signals to the brain which dilute the pain. The benefits of cold treatments are; • Fast pain relief • Alternative to oral pain killers • Helps minimise soft tissue damage Preparation and caring for your muscles before taking part in any exercise is equally as important to cooling down and stretching out after exercise.

Using heat therapy before exercise, for muscular aches and pains, as part of a warm up can increase blood flow which helps increase the flexibility of muscles and joints to help prevent injury. It is important to advise not to use heat therapy immediately after strenuous exercise or immediately after injury as it increases circulation. When there is any injury, cooling therapy should be used for this at the same time.

WWho? Those who are partaking in sport

WWhat are the symptoms? Dependent upon the site of injury

HHow long have they had the symptoms? Refer anyone with long-term

pain resulting from sports injuries where OTC treatments are not having an impact

AAction already taken? Sufferers may already have self-selected

OTC medication