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If there is no
bleeding or swelling, moist heat should be applied in some form of hot
pack rather than a heat lamp, which just tends to warm the skin. A steam
bath, Jacuzzi, and even nice hot bath are all good bodybuilding therapy. There is no
evidence that soaking in Epsom salts has any positive benefits, and the
various commercial preparations advertised as soothing muscle soreness
only stimulate the surface of the skin and have no real therapeutic
value.
In cases
where muscle strain has been severe enough to cause actual rupture of
fibers, with the associated bleeding and swelling of tissues, heat
should not be used, since it would promote vasodilation (an increase in
the diameter of the blood vessels), which would increase blood supply to
the part involved and induce swelling. Here, ice packs should be used to
promote vasoconstriction, reducing the flow of blood to the area.
Compression, elevation, and immobilization are all recommended
treatments in the event of swelling.
Bleeding into
tissues can be localized, as in a bruise or contusion, collected in a
local pool (hematoma), or extravasate and, with seepage, discolor a
large part of an extremity distant from the site of injury (ecchymosis).
Read more about Bodybuilding - Therapy ...
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