Sprains are types of injuries that can happen to many different parts of the body. Sprains can be described as injuries to the ligaments that are caused by overstretching.

There are four degrees of sprains. The first degree is considered a minor stretch. The second degree is when the ligament is actually torn and the area is affected by swelling and pain.

The third degree is classified as a complete rupture. The fourth degree is considered to be the most severe. The degree of injury does require surgery to fix.

The ligament with this degree is actually broken and sometimes small bones are broken as well. Some of the main symptoms of sprains are pain, swelling, and sometimes loss of function of the body part. The most common places for this type of injury to occur are the ankle, wrist, and knee.

These injuries can be diagnosed by something called MRI or magnetic resonance imaging. Sprains are typically sports related injuries, although they can occur during other activities and accidents as well.

No matter how the injury occurs, the important thing is how to treat them.

There are some simple rules to treating these kinds of injuries. The key is to remember not to pay the P.R.I.C.E. of the injury.

The “p” is the first trick and it stands for protect. It is important to protect the place of the injury to ensure that it does not get injured further. The ‘r’ is for rest.

It is essential to rest the area where the injury occurred. The ‘i’ stands for ice. Icing the area can take down the swelling and prevent the area from swelling even more. The important thing to understand about icing an injury is that ice should never be applied for longer than 15 minutes at a time. Along the same lines is the “c” which stands for compression. The compression of the injury is important to reduce swelling as well. The last is the “e’ which stands for elevation. The injury should be elevated so that it is as level with the heart as comfortably and conveniently as possible. Sprains can occur many times throughout life and most frequently in someone’s youth when they are most involved in athletics and carelessness in activities. As long as the injuries are acted upon quickly and the “P.R.I.C.E.” method of treatment is followed there is usually nothing to worry about. However, it is important to still seek the advice of a physician incase it is a fourth degree sprain which requires surgery. Most are a second degree and heal quickly and easily.

Back sprains and back strains are common injuries and most people will experience both at some point in their life time. However, back sprains and strains are definitely something that can be prevented with some care and attention during activity and daily practices.

The most common way to obtain a back sprain is through overloading the back muscles. This typically happens by lifting something too heavy or lifting something improperly. However, back sprains can happen during athletic activities, slips and falls, or car accidents.

Back sprains can be quite painful and once a strain has happened once, the chances of it happening again are increased. Therefore, prevention of back sprains should be practiced, especially for people who are prone to back troubles, like really tall people. So, here are some prevention tips for back sprains and strains.

There are five key tips that come from the spineuniverse.

The first tip is to keep correct posture. The back should be straight and the shoulders rolled back. There should not be a curve in the spine forward at all.

Proper posture ensures that the back experiences as little stress as possible. The second tip is to participate in regular exercise. If back problems are a concern a great way to develop strong muscles without a lot of pressure being put on the body is to swim.

It is also important to develop strong core muscles because the core muscles keep the body as stable as possible. The third tip is to not smoke. The nicotine found in smoking actually stops the oxygen from getting to the spine.

Oxygen should be considered the nourishment for the spine. The fourth tip is to eat a balanced and healthy diet and to maintain a health weight. Maintaining a healthy weight keeps the back from experiencing more stress and weight.

The last tip is a combination of things but is referred to as common sense things. For instance, having an ergonomic work area, using proper lifting techniques, and always wear a seat belt. Back sprains can really disrupt someone’s life and mobility. These preventative tips are sure to help ensure that back sprains occur as little as possible. Back sprains of course are not one hundred percent preventable, but it does make a difference to practice these healthy steps. If a sprain does occur, there are many different treatment options but the most important thing to remember is rest. It is important to rest an injury so that it does not get worse. A visit to the doctor is suggested to make sure that it is not something more serious like a pinched nerve or a slipped disc.