Sports Medicine
A Crucial Period
Good Pain, Bad Pain
On Your Knees
Secondary Injuries
Imaging Technology
What's Sciatica?
The Female Athlete
Putting Your Feet First
Itis Schmitis
Too Much, Too Soon
Under the Influence
Twisted
What's Goin' On?
Think Inches, Not Pounds
Preventing Vaginitis
That Painful Pull
Athlete's Heart
Exercise & Arthritis
Chilled to the Bone
Measuring Body Fat
Exercise and Your Breasts
Choosing a Sports Doctor
Lean on Me (Shoulder)
Exercise & Anemia
Exercise Abuse
Pelvis Sighting
Hand Aid
It's All in the Wrist
Back in Action
Altitude Adjustment
Tennis Elbow, Anyone?
Exercising in the Heat
Agony of the Feet
Restless Legs
Night Time Cramps
Birth Control Concerns
No Periods, No Babies?
Post Partum Prescription
Weight Loss Mystery
Undesirable Cooldown
To Brew Or Not To Brew
Fitness After Baby
Biking and Back Pain
Swimmer's Shoulder
A Hidden Athlete
Avoiding Osteoporosis
Drug Testing
Maximum Heart Rate
Headway Against Headaches
Torn Rotator Cuff
Fat Figures
SOS About PMS
Bloody Urine
Sag Story
Lackluster Leg
Bothersome Bulge
Gaining in Years
Taking It On the Shin
Aching Ankles
Hoop Help
Tender Toes
Meals For Muscle
Growing Pains
Hot Tips
High Altitude PMS
Personal Bests
Air Pollution
Ankle Blues
Heartbreak Heel
Yeast Relief

That Painful Pull

Continued...

These tears are called distraction ruptures and occur when the demand made upon a muscle exceeds its innate strength. Distraction ruptures occur in sports such as tennis, weight lifting, sprinting and aerobics.

Compression ruptures occur as a direct result of impact - such as when one woman's knee collides with another woman's thigh in a soccer game. The impact bruises and tears muscle tissue and can cause severe spasms commonly referred to as a charley horse.

Any time you have a bruise along the muscle mass resulting from an impact, you have some degree of muscle tear.

Both types of ruptures are very painful and can be serious because of the bleeding involved. How quickly you recover depends on the severity of your injury, the amount of bleeding and the amount of scar tissue formed.

It's important to recognize that a tear has occurred and to control the bleeding as quickly as possible.

The First 72 Hours

As soon as you injure a muscle, stop exercising. Begin treatment immediately and see your physician for an accurate diagnosis of the severity of your injury.

Continuing to exercise will increase bleeding and damage, making recovery more difficult. The sooner you stop exercising, the less pressure and bleeding will occur at the site of the injury.

Immediately apply ice to the injured area for 20 minutes. This will further decrease the blood flow to the damaged muscle.

Do not apply heat or massage the muscle. Heat will increase blood flow to the area, further damaging the muscle. Massage causes additional trauma and interferes with the healing process.

Wrap the injured area with an Ace bandage for support and compression. Keep it elevated at a level above your heart. Sleep with the injured limb elevated on a pillow.

Next | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Previous


Order Now!
Order The Athletic Woman's Survival Guide
Table of Contents

Foreword: Billie Jean King

Comments by Barb Harris
Editor in Chief,
Shape Magazine



General Health
Nutrition
Exercise
Common Medical Problems
Dental Health
Emergency!
Infectious Disease
Sexual Health
Emotional Well-Being
Eating Disorders
Alcohol & Other Drugs
Environmental Health
Prevention


The information in this web site is for educational purposes only and is not providing medical or professional advice. It should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. If you have or suspect you might have any health problems, you should consult a physician.


Copyright 2000 - Sports Doctor, Inc.