Many common sports injuries can be treated at the pharmacy counter
Sports and hobbies are fun and make us feel good – from this simple truth flows so many physical, mental, and social health benefits. They can reduce a person’s risk of developing up to 35 chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, depression, and type 2 diabetes.
While it is recommended that adults engage in at least 30 minutes a day of moderate activity 5 days a week, or 150 minutes a week, this can be very hard to achieve. However, there are many different ways a person can get active and small changes can make a big difference. But as with anything in life, there is risk too, especially when starting a new activity. Runner’s knee, tennis elbow, and shoulder injuries are just some of the most common sports injuries. They can leave people frustrated and in pain, and potentially ruin weeks and months of training in advance of ‘the big event’.
The community pharmacy is ideally placed to help treat sports injuries, providing advice and a range of over the counter medications, as well as being an important signpost for other health services, such as physiotherapists, yoga classes, and resistance training to help repair and prevent injury.
One of the easiest treatments for sports sprains and strains is RICE therapy (Rest –Ice –Compression –Elevate), although sometimes taking a break from a loved activity can be easier said than done.
Sports injuries can leave people in pain, but there are a plethora of over the counter treatments including painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol.
One of these products is Nurofen Joint & Back Pain Relief Max Strength 10% Gel. Suitable for adults and children aged 12 years and over, it is designed for rubbing onto the skin, and can be massaged onto the injured area until it is absorbed. The ibuprofen gets to work to relieve back pain, ease a strained or sprained muscle or other similar sports injury.
Gently heating and cooling sports injuries is a well-known treatment. One of the most well-known brands is Deep Heat and Deep Freeze. From sprays to creams to patches, they provide trusted, pain relief.
Deep Heat and Deep Freeze sprays are some of the most popular sports injury treatments available, and many athletes use them even before events. Deep Heat Spray is a pain relieving, warming, spray used on the skin, and is recommended for the relief of pain in muscles, tendons, joints or bones, lower back and thigh pain, sprains or strains. It can be used before and after exercise. Deep Freeze Cold Spray delivers an instant burst of targeted cooling to sore areas, such as the back, neck and shoulders, legs and feet. Deep Heat and Deep Freeze also come in patches, which can be worn under the clothes on the affected area, allowing a person to get on with their day.
There are also a range of creams and gels in the brand, including Deep Heat Pain Max Strength cream. This can be used before and after exercise and contains ingredients that provide pain-relief plus heat. Deep Freeze Cold Gel provides fast acting, soothing relief. It is also easy and convenient to use.
Another trusted product is Diclomel Max Strength 2% w/w gel from Clonmel Healthcare, which contains the active substance diclofenac. Diclomel Max Strength gel is indicated for the short-term local symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate pain in acute strains, sprains or contusions following blunt trauma. It is suitable for adults and adolescents 14 years and over, and is available from pharmacies nationwide in 100g and 50g pack sizes.
Another respected brand is ThermaCare, which produces clinically proven heat wraps. These provide powerful, targeted drug free pain relief. ThermaCare heat wraps provide long lasting pain relief associated with muscle tension, overexertion, strains and sprains, and arthritis.
There is also Medicare Infrared Therapeutic Heat Plasters. These deliver deep penetrating heat that lasts up to 12 hours, stimulating local blood circulation and delivering deep, healing heat into the body. They provide natural heat therapy to aid in reducing aches and pains caused by conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism and soft tissue injuries. It may also assist with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and lumbar soft tissue injury.
Biofreeze products are also very popular, providing fast acting cold therapy treatment. These products come in a spray, gel, and patches and are readily available from the community pharmacist. Biofreeze can be directly applied to the skin and can bring targeted and effective pain relief. Its cooling formula is backed by science and research proven and 9/10 of patients say it lasts longer than a cold pack.
Another popular cream is Ovelle Menthol & Wintergreen Cream, which is used for the symptomatic relief of muscular pains, lumbago, rheumatic pain, fibrositis, and strains.
Other products available over the counter are from the Voltarol range. Voltarol Emulgel P brings targeted and localised relief from pain and swelling in muscles and joints.
Voltarol Emulgel P contains an anti-inflammatory drug, diclofenac, which targets the source of pain and has been used as a pain reliever for over 30 years in Ireland. Diclofenac gets through the skin barrier as well as offering a cooling effect to ease the painful and red areas of the body. It provides a triple effect by relieving pain at source and reducing inflammation which helps speed up recovery.
Voltarol Emulgel Extra Strength gel can provide all day relief from pain and swelling in joints and muscles. This pain and swelling can be caused by overuse of muscles and joints during physical activity.
Diclac Relief 1% Gel is also a popular and trusted brand. It is an anti-inflammatory gel used for pain relief and to reduce inflammation. Diclac Relief is suitable for use with injured or damaged joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and in local soft tissue bruising.
Epsom salts are world famous for easing muscle pain and soreness and they are available in a host of products. These include soluble bath salts and gels.
Ultrapure Laboratories Epsom Salts Gel with arnica is a natural fragrance-free gel infused with aloe vera designed to support natural muscle recovery. It is suitable for professional athletes, those doing endurance training, adults and teens suffering from muscle and joint pain, and people with no time or access to Epsom salt baths.
Ultrapure also has other muscle recovery products, including Ultrapure Laboratories Ice-Cold Menthol Gel. This is an intensive sports recovery topical gel with menthol crystals (4% strength) for an instant ice bath-type cooling sensation. This fast-absorbing gel has a mild fresh menthol scent and is designed for on-the-go targeted application.
There is also Ultrapure Laboratories Wintergreen Heat Rub, which is infused with natural extracts, rich oils plus calming wintergreen oil and rosemary camphor oil.
Hydration is very important during exercise, as dehydration can cause muscle cramps and dizziness. Dioralyte Sachets can help restore a person’s natural fluid and body salt balance. There is also Electrosal Blackcurrant from Clonmel Healthcare, which helps replace electrolytes. O.R.S. Hydration Tablets in a variety of flavours are another trusted product. These effervescent tablets are designed to help replenish electrolytes and fluids lost through dehydration, ensuring optimal hydration whether a person is working out, traveling, or recovering from illness. Formulated with a balanced mix of glucose, sodium, and essential minerals, they dissolve quickly in water. They are perfect for on-the-go hydration support, each tablet offers an effective and tasty way to stay refreshed and energised throughout the day.
A plethora of supports, insoles, and tape products can also be found at the community pharmacist.
The Scholl Gelactiv Sport range is developed to effectively absorb shocks and help reduce excessive pressure from running or sports. With a strong arch support and cushioning it is carefully designed to fit athletic footwear. It provides strong arch support for active feet, impact cushioning for heels, knees and ankles, and a sole shape design for all day comfort.
There are also a range of knee, ankle, elbow supports available from the pharmacy. One of these is Elastoplast, which provides a range of supports including knee and ankle supports.
Sports and kinesiology tapes are also available and are increasingly popular to help recover from and prevent injury. One of these products is Physiologix Kinesiology Tape from Fleming Medical. It is constructed from a combination of elastic and cotton fibers and latex-free coating which allows adhesive properties. It is used to prevent injury and control edema and for pain management. Almost identical to human skin in both thickness and elasticity, it allows kinesiology tape to be worn without binding, constricting or restriction of movement. The sports tape is ideal for neck strain, shoulder pain, tennis elbow, rib pain, wrist pain, runner’s knee, and a range of other injuries.
The range provides a number of supports for those with injuries, including the Physiologix Ultimate Ankle Support. This is recommended for people recently recovering from or looking to prevent ankle injuries. It offers firm compression and superior support.
It uses AIRFLEX Technology which is the ultimate material for compression and heat retention to help improve blood circulation and reduce pain.
Hemmka Health also has a range of products available. One of these is the knee brace for patellar support. This product is commonly used with patellar femoral pains, osteoarthritis and meniscus injuries. The ring around the patella provides optimum comfort. This is a one size fits all knee support.
There are also a range of medical devices, which can treat muscle pain. These include deep tissue massage percussion guns, which work to relieve soreness and stiffness. TENS machines are also available from the community pharmacist and work to help ease aches and pains including back and shoulder pain.
There is also some evidence that oral creatine might reduce the frequency of dehydration, muscle cramping, and injuries to the muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. A sports supplement, creatine is available in many pharmacies and sports shops. It increases muscle energy production rates, boosting performance in high-intensity activities like sprinting or resistance training. Creatine is not just for weightlifters but is beneficial for team sports athletes, endurance athletes, and even those recovering from injuries, said one of the most popular brands, Optimum Nutrition.
Athlete’s foot can be an unpleasant consequence of increased physical activity. A person can catch it by walking barefoot in communal areas, such as in changing rooms and showers. Wet or sweaty feet, such as after exercising, can also encourage it.
It is a very common complaint, with symptoms including scaly, peeling, or cracked skin between the toes, fluid-filled blisters, and itchiness. It should be treated as soon as possible with a specialised product like Scholl Athlete’s Foot Cream to help prevent the infection from spreading to the nails. The cream contains an anti-fungal ingredient that is clinically proven to treat athlete’s foot effectively. It also provides long-lasting treatment. It has a 7-day treatment time, kills the fungal infection, and soothes itching.
Scholl’s Antifungal Shoe Spray is also an effective disinfectant that kills 99.9% of the fungus which causes athlete’s foot and fungal nail. It also helps prevent recurrence of fungus in shoes.
Canesten Cream with 1 % Clotrimazole is also a trusted product. It is used to treat fungal skin infections including ringworm, athlete’s foot, fungal sweat and nappy rash. It provides soothing relief from the irritation caused by fungal infections.
