• Overview
• Prevention
• Relief

Relief

Managing joint pain

There are a number of things you can do to help relieve the discomfort of joint pain. An appropriate combination of rest and light exercise as recommended by your doctor or physio can be a great way to manage it. You could also take a supplement such as glucosamine, which may help to increase cartilage production and improve joint flexibility and mobility. For the pain and inflammation associated with soft-tissue injury, Voltaren can help get you moving again.

Voltaren Rapid tablets and Emulgel contain the active ingredient diclofenac, which has a dual effect - helping to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Voltaren Emulgel is a medicated anti-inflammatory gel specifically formulated for the temporary relief of pain and reduction of swelling in soft tissue injuries. Voltaren Rapid 12.5 tablets are effective in providing temporary relief of rheumatic and muscular pain and backache. It also offers the flexibility to adjust the dose according to the severity of your symptoms. (Maximum of 6 tablets over 24 hours, taken as directed. Initial dose, 2 tablets then 1 to 2 tablets every 4-6 hours)

Managing inflammation

Extra rest is always a good idea if you are suffering a muscle or joint injury, especially in the first two or three days. Once the swelling and discomfort begin to subside, and with your doctor's or physiotherapist's advice, it's wise to gently exercise the muscle or joint to regain the range of movement and muscle strength and, for your weight bearing joints, balance. A Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) such as diclofenac may also help. Voltaren Rapid tablets and Emulgel contain the active ingredient diclofenac, which has a dual effect - helping to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Voltaren Emulgel is a medicated anti-inflammatory gel specifically formulated for the temporary relief of pain and to reduce swelling in soft tissue injuries. Voltaren Rapid 12.5 and Voltaren Rapid 25 tablets are effective in providing temporary relief of rheumatic and muscular pain and backache. Check with your pharmacist which product is most suitable for your pain.

Managing sprains and strains

Prevention is always better than a cure so by taking a few simple precautions you can reduce your chance of getting a sprain or strain injury. Always warm up your muscles and do a few stretching exercises before you undertake any heavy lifting or other strenuous activity.

If you do suffer a strain or sprain, there is a simple acronym to help you manage it correctly – 'RICE'.
'R' stands for Rest, the ideal way to reduce the risk of further aggravating the injury and allow your body to start the healing process.
'I' stands for Ice. Applying it to the site of your strain or pain can help minimise swelling and reduce bleeding and bruising.
'C' stands for Compression which also helps prevent or reduce swelling. Just wrap the injured area with an elastic bandage, but not so tightly that circulation is cut off. It should not hurt or throb. Finally,
'E' stands for Elevation. Raising the injured limb to the level of the heart or above reduces blood flow, helps minimise swelling and reduces discomfort.

The RICE method may be combined with an anti-inflammatory rub such as Voltaren Emulgel to deal with strains and sprains. Voltaren Emulgel is cool to apply and penetrates to the site of pain to help relieve sprains, strains, aches and pains.

Managing back pain

Many cases of back pain may be relieved through physiotherapy and the use of analgesics such as Voltaren Rapid 25.  Voltaren Rapid 25 works fast to help give temporary relief of acute pain and inflammation,  providing relief within as little as 15 minutes*.  Talk to your pharmacist for more information on Voltaren Rapid 25.   Contrary to popular belief, bed rest is not always the best way to treat back pain as inactivity can cause stiffness, limit mobility and actually increase pain.  You should consult your doctor or physiotherapist regarding what is the most appropriate treatment for you.