Neeraj Chopra, reigning Olympic champion javelin thrower has been pulled out of the Fanny Blankers-Koen Games due to muscle strain. The decision is made after considering precautionary measures because Neeraj is suffering from an injury. However, fans of Neeraj Chopra are expecting to see him again at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland which will be held on June 13.
What Did Neeraj Chopra Write on Twitter?
Neeraj took to Twitter and shared a post where he wrote that he has been suffering from muscle strain during training sessions. He and his team decided to withdraw from FBK Games while following precautionary measures to avoid any further risks.
Despite this, he sent wishes to the tournament and the organisers for all the success. Further, he added, he is recovering from the injury and will come back in June. He had given a fabulous start to the season by winning the Doha Diamond League with an amazing throw of 88.67m on May 5.
What is a Muscle Strain?
A muscle strain is caused when your muscle is stretched too far or you’ve put too much pressure on your muscle. It occurs as a result of overuse, fatigue, or improper use of muscle. Strains can happen in any muscle but they can be in your neck, lower back, hamstring and shoulder.
Symptoms of Muscle Strains
Muscle strain symptoms include:
soreness
sudden pain
swelling
limit the movement
stiffness
weakness
muscle spasms
bruising
Causes of Muscle Strains
A muscle strain occurs unexpectedly and suddenly. Such strains can occur either from trauma or injuries. It can be due to:
poor conditioning
fatigue and overexertion
poor flexibility
not warming up before physical activity
First Aid for Treating Muscle Strains
Most muscle strains can be treated at home. Minor muscle tears can be treated with:
Rest
Don’t use your muscle for a few days, especially if movement causes more pain. However, too much rest can cause muscle weakness. It can prolong the process of healing. After two days, slowly start using the muscle which was affected but ensure not to overuse it.
Ice
Apply ice immediately after muscle injury. It will reduce swelling. However, avoid using ice directly on the affected area. Instead, wrap ice in a towel or use an ice pack. Keep the ice pack on your affected muscle for around 20 minutes. On the first day of injury, repeat this process every hour.
Compression
To reduce swelling, cover the affected muscle with an elastic bandage until the swelling is reduced. However, avoid wrapping it too tightly.
Elevation
If possible, raise your injured muscle above your heart level.
Other self-care methods include:
Apply heat to the affected area several times after three days of injury. It will improve blood circulation to the area for faster recovery.
Don’t rest your affected area for too long. It can cause muscle weakness and stiffness. You can start with light stretching and then, increase the level of activity.
Make sure to warm up properly before doing physical activity. It will increase blood flow to your affected area and decrease the risk of injury.
Try to stay in shape to reduce the chances of developing a strain.
When to Seek Help from a Doctor?
For mild to moderate muscle strain, home remedies should be enough. Get medical help if any of the following conditions occur:
you are unable to walk
you are unable to move your affected area
blood from the injured part
Conclusion
Recovery from muscle strain depends on the severity of the injury. For mild muscle strain, you can recover within 3-6 weeks with home remedies. For acute strain, you need to seek medical help. Furthermore, get such type of informative blog by subscribing to Personal Care N Heal.
