Aug 31, 2015
Muscle contractions depend on the muscle cells trading Potassium (K⁺) and Calcium (Ca⁺⁺).
As your muscle uses up energy to do work, the by-product is Lactic Acid.
Muscle fibers are “woven” together - kinda like fabric.
Contracting and relaxing a muscle
causes the fibers to grip together and then spread back
out.
Bilateral muscles = symmetrical muscles. They look the same on each side of your body and worktogether to move your body in both directions from your center (left and right).
Stretching a muscle causes the muscle fibers to extend.
Over-extending a muscle can lead to a strain or pull/torn muscle.
Inflammation happens in the tiny fibers of your injured muscle.
Anti-inflammatory medications work
great for strained muscles.
- Ibuprofen (Advil,
Motrin)
- Naproxen (Aleve)
R.I.C.E.
Rest: stop using
it, or at least give it a little break with only light use
Ice: yep, that cold, frozen water stuff
Compression: for smaller muscles, they can be
wrapped to help limit inflammation and hold muscle fibers in a
inoffensive position.
Elevation:
smaller muscles that can be affected by gravity pulling blood to
it, can benefit from being elevated and allowing gravity to pull
blood away from it for a short time.
Here’s a link with a concise explanation of when to use ice vs when to use heat.
Prescription steroids help relieve inflammation.
Prescription muscle relaxers keep the muscle from knotting up.
@_KevinBuchanan used 800 mg ibuprofen for his injury. 800 mg should be taken every 8-12 hours, no sooner, or GI side effects may occur.
1. Stop the offending activity.
2. Ice the injured muscle (24-72 hours after injury)
3. Take anti-inflammatory pain relievers.
4. Apply heat to keep muscle relaxed
5. Gentle use or stretches
Here’s the 32 lb toddler that likes to ride in the “backpack” (which is actually a woven wrap by Form by Pavo Textiles and is called Fruit Stripes).
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