Sprains and strains are injuries to muscles, tendons and ligaments. Also called soft-tissue injuries, they are very common sport injuries, but can also happen during normal daily activities, like picking up a heavy object or missing a step on the stairs.
Joint injuries can be incredibly painful and sometimes difficult to tell apart. The good news is: they are not an inevitable side effect of keeping active. With the right technique and training, it’s easy to lower the risk of hurting yourself so read on our checklist!
Sprains and Strains often happen as a result of not warming up before you exercise, using the wrong technique or wrong equipment, pushing your body too hard or by accident.
This is why it is important to:
Pain is usually an indicator to back off, or that you may have sustained an injury. If you can’t use the joint at all, or are experiencing serious pain and swelling, you may need medical attention. If you keep re-injuring the same area, an expert evaluation is also in order.
If you’re not sure how bad your injury is, reach out to one of our medical professionals online. Our doctors can advise on your next steps—for at-home treatment or a specialist visit.
