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Muscle aches or strains occur when muscles or tendons are overworked or damaged. Although they’re sometimes due to a one-off accident, they can also result from overdoing normal everyday activities.

WHAT CAUSES ACHES AND STRAINS?
Acute strains occur when a muscle or tendon is stretched too far or exposed to more weight or force than it can take.
 
With any planned activity, acute injury is avoidable. The key here is to not overdo things, know your limits and work smarter, not harder! Acute injuries can happen with a sudden twist or awkward movement (for example when lifting) or when overdoing it in the garden or working around the home.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
When you injure a muscle or tendon, the body’s defence mechanisms kick in. Pain signals are sent to the brain, to encourage you to avoid using the injured area, while the tissue damage may cause the area to become hot and swollen.
But while pain and inflammation are natural protective mechanisms, they can cause discomfort. Uncontrolled inflammation may cause an increase in pain and the injury may actually take longer to heal.

VOLTAREN RAPID, SPECIALISED MUSCLE PAIN RELIEF
Treatments designed to reduce both pain and inflammation can help ease symptoms, while your body’s natural repair processes take place.

Voltaren Rapid 25 works fast to help reduce both pain and inflammation in as little as 15 minutes, helping you get on with life and back to what you enjoy, faster. If pain persists, you should speak to your doctor.

ASK YOUR PHARMACIST
Voltaren Rapid is available in two strengths for different pain levels.
Just ask your pharmacist whether Voltaren is right for you and what’s best for your condition.

Remember, you don’t have to put up with pain. The earlier you address it, the sooner you can get back to the things you love.

MANAGING MUSCLE STRAINS
The key to managing acute strains is to act early. First-aid measures include the R.I.C.E.R method:

Rest
  • Stop the activity as soon as the injury occurs.
  • Rest is essential to minimise further damage.

Ice
  • For the first 48 hours after an injury, apply an ice pack (even a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel) to the injury site for 20-30 minutes every 3-4 hours.
  • Ice lowers the temperature of the injured area and reduces blood flow in the injured tissues.

Compression
  • Use a compression bandage around the injured part, making sure the bandage is firm but not too tight, or it will cut off circulation.
  • Compression bandages achieve two things. First, they help minimise the swelling that follows injury. Second, they help immobilise the injured area.

Elevation
  • Try to keep the injured part elevated, above the level of your heart. This can usually be achieved by lying down and using pillows to raise the injured body part.
  • Elevation reduces blood flow to the injured area, helping minimise swelling and bruising.

Referral
  • See a health professional if there is severe pain and/or swelling, or loss of function.





Voltaren® Rapid contains diclofenac potassium 12.5mg (Pharmacy Medicine) & 25mg (Pharmacist Only Medicine) for short-term treatment of acute painful and inflammatory conditions. Medicines have benefits and some may have risks. Incorrect use could be harmful. Do not use if you have stomach ulcers. Always read the label and use strictly as directed. Consult your pharmacist if symptoms persist or if you have side-effects. Novartis Consumer Health Auckland. ®Registered Trademark. TAPS NA3024

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Or visit www.mybodypain.co.nz
for more information on
managing body pain

 
 
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