Myth 1: Muscle strains don’t need treatment.
This is an entirely false statement that can lead to worsening health, as even minor strains can lead to serious problems if not properly treated. When muscles or ligaments are too stretched, tissue fibres are damaged, which can lead to unpleasant symptoms. If medications (such as Norflex, Robinax) or specialized creams and gels (such as Nise Gel) are not started in time, the tissues may heal improperly, which can lead to chronic pain or even more serious injuries, such as tears or joint damage. Treatment helps accelerate healing, reduce pain, and prevent complications. Therefore, even if you’ve just slightly twisted your ankle and feel mild pain, it’s important to start treatment in time.
Myth 2: Stretched muscles heal very quickly.
In reality, recovery after a strain may take longer than people often think. When muscles are stretched or injured, they always need some time to heal. Always keep in mind that muscles and ligaments recover more slowly than skin due to their more complex structure and functional load. It is also important that the tissues heal properly, and any too early stress on the injured area can lead to re-injury. Therefore, it’s better to take the time to recover properly so that you can feel healthy afterward.
Myth 3: You should always use an elastic bandage.
An elastic bandage can be helpful in certain situations where you need to reduce swelling, provide support to a joint or muscle and limit the movement of the injured area. However, using an elastic bandage is not a universal treatment method. First of all, it’s important to assess the severity of the injury correctly. For mild strains, where the ligaments have not sustained serious damage, rest, applying ice and elevating the injured limb may be enough to reduce swelling. In this case, an elastic bandage may not even be necessary and could cause additional pressure, potentially worsening the situation. In more serious injuries, such as ligament tears or significant strains, using an elastic bandage may be appropriate. The key is that it should not be too tight, as this can lead to impaired circulation. Therefore, in any case, it is important to seek medical help for such injuries.
Myth 4: You don’t need to lie down, you can walk.
Depending on the nature of the injury and its severity, physical activity can be either beneficial or harmful. For minor injuries, such as mild strains or sprains, movement can be helpful for maintaining circulation and preventing excessive fluid retention in the tissues. In such cases, small movements or walking can help speed up recovery. However, it’s important to avoid overloading the injured area to prevent worsening the condition. On the other hand, with more serious injuries movement can cause further damage. In these cases, it’s crucial to stay calm and limit movement, especially if it causes pain. Overexertion can worsen the injury and delay the healing process.