Overuse injuries
This section contains practical instructions for using Smrekovit products for injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments and other soft tissues, as well as for problems caused by greater or repeated physical strain.
These include mainly sprains, strained and partially torn muscles, inflamed tendons and ligaments, periostitis, heel spur, impacts, bruises and haematomas, sports injuries and pain after greater physical exertion.
If you know the more specific cause of the problem, choose the appropriate section below. If you are unsure, start with the general instructions, which also explain how to distinguish an overuse injury from a joint problem or pain that may originate from the spine.
Overuse injuries – at a glance
- First choice: Smrekovit 365 Prima + Smrekovit dressing.
- Use the dressing for as long as possible; for more persistent problems, also during the day and overnight.
- For most injuries, a clear improvement should be noticeable after about 7 days of regular use.
- With a fresh injury, do not massage the injured tissue.
- In the case of a fracture, complete rupture or another more serious injury, Smrekovit does not replace necessary treatment.
General instructions for overuse injuries
First, check whether it really is an overuse injury
When choosing how to use the product, it is important first of all to determine which tissue is affected and where the pain originates. The place where you feel the pain is not always its actual source.
An overuse injury is especially likely when the problem appeared after a fall, impact, sprain, incorrect movement, sports activity, or greater or repeated physical strain. The affected tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, muscle attachment sites and other soft tissues.
If the pain is in the joint area, first try to determine whether the pain comes from the joint itself or from the tissue around it. Pain around the knee, shoulder, ankle or elbow, for example, may come from a muscle, tendon or ligament and not necessarily from the joint. If the problem mainly involves the joint itself, osteoarthritis, arthritis or a long-term joint problem without a clear injury, the instructions in the Joints section are more appropriate.
Another important possibility is nerve-related pain. If the pain spreads down one arm or leg, moves from place to place, or is accompanied by tingling, numbness or an electric sensation, its origin may be in the spine. In this case, follow the Spine, sciatica and nerve-related pain section.
If, however, there is a clear injury or overuse and the pain is mainly localised in muscle, tendon or ligament tissue, continue with the instructions below for overuse injuries.
What do we recommend for overuse injuries?
For most overuse injuries, our first choice is Smrekovit 365 Prima in combination with a Smrekovit dressing. Apply the cream to the dressing and place the dressing on the affected area. The main purpose of the dressing is to prolong contact between the product and the skin and allow longer use without repeated application.
First choice: Smrekovit 365 Prima + Smrekovit dressing
Smrekovit 365 Prima is recommended for most injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments and other soft tissues. The cream spreads easily, so it is suitable both for direct application and for use on a Smrekovit dressing.
For more persistent problems, we particularly recommend using it with a dressing, as this keeps the affected area in contact with the product for longer. If the dressing cannot be worn during the day, you can use it overnight and apply the cream to the affected area several times during the day.
Possible alternative: Smrekovit Klasik
Smrekovit Klasik can be used in a similar way. It is a fatty-based ointment, so it is greasier and remains on the application site longer than a cream. You can use it on its own or on a Smrekovit dressing.
For overuse injuries, we generally consider it an alternative to Smrekovit 365 Prima, especially if you prefer an ointment or a greasier form of the product.
If you do not tolerate spruce resin: Smrekovit 365 Alter
If you are allergic or sensitive to spruce resin, we recommend Smrekovit 365 Alter, which contains boswellia resin instead of spruce resin. You can use it on its own or on a Smrekovit dressing.
Smrekovit 365 Alter can also be used as a complement to products containing spruce resin, but for most injuries we recommend starting with Smrekovit 365 Prima as the basic choice.
If you prefer a cooling sensation: Smrekovit 365 Ekstra
Smrekovit 365 Ekstra is a spruce resin cream with added menthol and camphor that gives a pronounced cooling sensation. It is particularly suitable for direct application when you find this sensation pleasant.
Smrekovit 365 Ekstra is not intended for use under a Smrekovit dressing. If you want to use a dressing, choose Smrekovit 365 Prima, Smrekovit 365 Alter or Smrekovit Klasik.
In short: unless there is a specific reason to choose otherwise, start with Smrekovit 365 Prima and a Smrekovit dressing for overuse injuries.
How to use the Smrekovit dressing for injuries?
Apply Smrekovit 365 Prima, Smrekovit 365 Alter or Smrekovit Klasik to the Smrekovit dressing and place it directly on the affected area with the coated side against the skin. If possible, keep the dressing in place for as long as possible, and for more persistent problems both during the day and overnight.
How do I apply the Smrekovit dressing?
- Apply Smrekovit 365 Prima, Smrekovit 365 Alter or Smrekovit Klasik to the Smrekovit dressing.
- Place the coated side of the dressing directly on the site of the injury or painful tissue.
- Secure the dressing appropriately so that it stays in place and moves as little as possible during activity.
- Approximately twice a day, apply a small additional amount of the product to the dressing.
How long should the dressing stay in place?
For overuse injuries, the general rule is: the longer you can comfortably use the dressing, the better. The Smrekovit dressing prolongs contact between the cream or ointment and the affected area, so for more persistent problems we recommend using it for as long as possible.
If the location is suitable and the dressing does not interfere with your activities, you can use it during the day and overnight. If this is not practical because of work, sport, clothing or movement, use it at least overnight and apply the product directly to the affected area several times during the day without the dressing.
How do I secure the Smrekovit dressing?
The method of securing it depends on the location of the injury. You can use elastic tubular bandage, medical adhesive tape, a bandage, a sock or another method that keeps the dressing in place without unnecessarily compressing the affected area.
On more mobile parts of the body, it is more important that the dressing remains in good contact with the affected area than that it is secured very tightly.
Do I need to replace the dressing with every application?
No. The Smrekovit dressing is intended for repeated use. During use, you can reapply the product to it, and when necessary it can be washed at 95 °C and tumble-dried.
Which products should not be used under the dressing?
Smrekovit 365 Ekstra is not intended for use under the Smrekovit dressing. The cream contains menthol and camphor and is intended for direct application. For use with the dressing, choose Smrekovit 365 Prima, Smrekovit 365 Alter or Smrekovit Klasik.
If you cannot use the dressing, this does not mean that you cannot use the product. In this case, apply the product directly to the affected area several times a day, and for more persistent problems include the dressing at least when practical, for example overnight.
When can you expect the first changes after an injury?
For most overuse injuries, it makes sense to assess the situation after about one week of regular and sufficiently intensive use. By then, there should usually be at least a clear improvement, even if the problem has not yet been resolved.
The change may appear as:
- less pain or tenderness,
- less swelling,
- better mobility,
- easier walking or other physical activity,
- fewer problems during everyday movements.
With fresh injuries, changes may occur sooner
With some fresh injuries, especially if you start using Smrekovit soon after the problem occurs, a difference may be noticeable within just a few days. This may apply, for example, to some sprains, impacts, bruises and other soft tissue injuries.
Longer-lasting or more persistent problems usually require more time. With periostitis, heel spur and some overuse injuries, the first clear improvement may be noticeable within the first week, while further improvement may continue over several more weeks.
Can the pain temporarily increase at the beginning?
With some injuries and overuse problems, temporarily stronger or somewhat different pain may occur during the first few days of use. Users may describe this as increased tenderness, throbbing or a more pronounced awareness of the painful area.
Based on our practical experience, this initial change usually lasts for about 2 to 3 days, after which the condition begins to settle. On its own, this is therefore not a reason to stop using the product.
However, if the pain becomes markedly and persistently worse, swelling increases rapidly, you cannot use the affected area normally, or other unusual symptoms appear, do not treat the problem simply as a normal initial response.
What does it mean if there is no change after one week?
If after about 7 days of correct and regular use there is no noticeable difference at all, it does not make sense to simply continue unchanged for several more weeks. First check whether:
- you are using the product often enough,
- the Smrekovit dressing is being kept in place long enough when recommended for that problem,
- you are applying the product to the correct area,
- the problem really is an injury to a muscle, tendon, ligament or other soft tissue,
- the pain may originate from a joint or the spine,
- the injury may be more serious than it first appeared.
The most common reason for a poor result is insufficient or too occasional use. A few applications over several days are not comparable to regular application or prolonged use of the Smrekovit dressing.
If you have used the product correctly and intensively enough but there is still no improvement after one week, it makes sense to reassess the cause of the problem or, if necessary, seek a professional examination.
Massage and cooling for injuries
With a fresh injury to a muscle, tendon, ligament or other soft tissue, massage is generally not necessary. Apply Smrekovit to the affected area or use a Smrekovit dressing without vigorously rubbing or massaging the injured area.
Is massage recommended for an injury?
For a sprain, partial tear, impact, haematoma and other acute soft tissue injuries, we do not recommend vigorously massaging the injured area. It is sufficient to apply the product evenly to the skin or to a Smrekovit dressing and place the dressing on the affected area.
It is different with tired muscles after physical exertion where no injury has occurred. In this case, you can also gently massage the product into the skin during application. It is therefore important to distinguish between a tired muscle and actually injured tissue.
Can I cool the injury with ice while using Smrekovit?
While using Smrekovit products, we generally do not recommend regularly cooling the affected area with ice at the same time. If you decide to use Smrekovit, use it regularly and assess its effect as a standalone approach.
This is especially important for more persistent problems, where the aim is to leave the product or the Smrekovit dressing on the affected area for as long as possible. Frequently alternating between the dressing and cooling can make consistent use more difficult.
If you cooled the injury immediately after it occurred, this in itself does not prevent you from using Smrekovit later. However, during continued use, we generally do not recommend regularly combining the two approaches.
When is a medical examination necessary after an injury?
Smrekovit is intended as practical support for injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments and other soft tissues, but it cannot replace necessary treatment for a more serious structural injury. If the injury resulted from a stronger impact, fall or another more serious event, it therefore makes sense to first check whether it is an injury that requires medical attention.
For which injuries is Smrekovit not a substitute for treatment?
Be particularly cautious if you suspect:
- a fracture,
- a complete tear or rupture of a ligament,
- an Achilles tendon rupture,
- an injury that requires suturing or other surgical treatment.
With such injuries, Smrekovit can be used as support for the soft tissues around the injury, but it cannot mechanically reconnect a torn ligament or tendon, heal a fracture, or replace suturing or other necessary treatment.
What if the injury does not look serious but the condition is not improving?
With most overuse injuries, if the product is used correctly and regularly enough, there should be at least some noticeable improvement within about seven days.
If there is no change at all after one week of correct use, we recommend reassessing the cause of the problem. It is possible that:
- it is not a soft tissue injury,
- the pain originates from a joint or the spine,
- a different tissue is affected than you initially assumed,
- the injury is more extensive or more serious.
If you are unsure about the type or extent of the injury, a medical examination is more appropriate than prolonged trial and error with different methods of use for a problem that may have been incorrectly assessed.
Sprain
For a sprain, we recommend starting to use Smrekovit as soon as possible after the injury. The first choice is Smrekovit 365 Prima in combination with a Smrekovit dressing, which you place directly on the injured area and, if possible, use for as long as possible.
What do we recommend for a sprain?
A sprain mainly affects the ligaments and other soft tissues around the joint. An ankle sprain is the most common, but the same basic method of use also applies to sprains of other joints.
We recommend:
- Smrekovit 365 Prima as the first choice,
- a Smrekovit dressing to keep the product in contact with the injured area for as long as possible,
- Smrekovit 365 Alter if you are allergic or sensitive to spruce resin.
If you cannot use the dressing, apply Smrekovit 365 Prima to the affected area several times a day. For direct application, you can also use Smrekovit 365 Ekstra, which gives a cooling sensation due to the added menthol and camphor. Do not use Smrekovit 365 Ekstra under the Smrekovit dressing.
How to use Smrekovit for a sprain?
- Apply Smrekovit 365 Prima to the Smrekovit dressing.
- Place the coated side of the dressing directly on the injured area.
- Secure it appropriately so that it remains in good contact with the skin, but do not unnecessarily compress the injured joint.
- If possible, keep the dressing in place during the day and overnight.
- Approximately twice a day, apply a small additional amount of the product to the dressing.
If you cannot use the dressing during the day because of work, footwear or movement, apply it at least overnight and apply the product to the injured area several times during the day.
With a sprain, prolonged and regular contact between the product and the injured area is more important than applying a large amount at one time.
Should a sprain be massaged?
We do not recommend massaging a freshly sprained joint or injured ligaments. Simply apply the cream or use the dressing without vigorously rubbing it into the injured tissue.
While using Smrekovit, we also generally do not recommend regularly cooling the injured area with ice at the same time.
When can you expect the first changes with a sprain?
With a sprain, the first improvement may appear within a few days, especially if you start using Smrekovit soon after the injury and keep the dressing in place for long enough.
As a general guideline, we recommend assessing the condition after about seven days of regular use. By then, there should usually be a clear difference, for example less pain, less tenderness, easier movement or fewer problems when putting weight on the joint.
This does not mean that the sprain must be completely settled within one week. With more significant ligament injuries, improvement may continue for longer.
What if there is no improvement after one week?
If there is no noticeable change after about seven days of correct and sufficiently intensive use, first check whether the dressing was kept in place for long enough and whether you used the product regularly.
If the use was appropriate, it also makes sense to reassess the extent of the injury. Smrekovit cannot replace necessary treatment for a complete ligament rupture, fracture or another more serious structural injury.
For more information about ankle sprains, the different grades of injury and the recovery process, read the article Ankle sprain: symptoms and recovery.
Heel spur, plantar fasciitis and heel pain
For heel spur and similar persistent heel pain, we recommend Smrekovit 365 Prima in combination with a Smrekovit dressing. With this problem, prolonged use of the dressing is especially important: if possible, keep it in place during the day and overnight, otherwise at least overnight.
How can you recognise typical heel spur pain?
Based on our practical experience, a very characteristic sign of heel spur is severe pain during the first steps in the morning. Once you start walking, the pain often decreases somewhat.
The problem can be long-lasting. Users who contact us have often already experienced pain for several weeks or months and tried various approaches, such as insoles, physiotherapy or other forms of treatment.
What do we recommend for heel spur?
The first choice is:
- Smrekovit 365 Prima and
- Smrekovit dressing.
For heel spur, we do not consider the dressing merely an addition. This is one of the problems where prolonged contact between the product and the affected area is especially important, and without the dressing we generally do not expect a comparable result.
If you are allergic or sensitive to spruce resin, you can use Smrekovit 365 Alter instead of Smrekovit 365 Prima.
How to use the Smrekovit dressing for heel spur?
- Apply Smrekovit 365 Prima to the Smrekovit dressing.
- Place the coated side of the dressing directly on the painful area of the heel.
- If possible, keep it in place during the day and overnight.
- Approximately twice a day, apply a small additional amount of the product to the dressing.
- If you cannot use the dressing during the day, apply it at least overnight and apply the product to the heel several times during the day.
On the foot, the dressing can be conveniently secured with medical adhesive tape or another method that keeps it in place, and a sock can then be worn over it.
With this problem in particular, the longer the dressing remains in place, the better. Occasional application is generally not comparable to consistent use of the dressing.
When can you expect the first changes with heel spur?
Heel spur is one of the more persistent problems, so do not judge the result based on a single day. Based on our practical experience, with consistent use of the dressing, a significant improvement usually becomes noticeable within about one week.
Within about two weeks, the improvement is often already very pronounced. If the condition is improving, continue use until the problem has sufficiently settled.
With correct and consistent use of the dressing, we have very good practical experience with this problem. The key is not to stop after just a few days and to use the dressing for long enough.
What if there is no change after one week?
If there is no improvement at all after about seven days, first check whether you have really used the Smrekovit dressing consistently enough and for long enough each day.
If the use was appropriate, it also makes sense to reassess the cause of the heel pain. Not every type of heel pain is necessarily caused by the same problem.
Read more about the causes, symptoms and course of the problem in the article Heel spur: causes, symptoms and what helps.
Periostitis
For periostitis, we recommend Smrekovit 365 Prima in combination with a Smrekovit dressing. This is one of the more persistent problems among overuse injuries, so consistent use and keeping the product in contact with the affected area for as long as possible are especially important.
What do we recommend for periostitis?
The first choice is:
- Smrekovit 365 Prima and
- Smrekovit dressing.
With periostitis, using the dressing is especially important. Based on our practical experience, occasional application alone often does not provide a result comparable to prolonged contact between the product and the painful area.
If you are allergic or sensitive to spruce resin, you can use Smrekovit 365 Alter instead of Smrekovit 365 Prima.
How to use Smrekovit for periostitis?
- Apply Smrekovit 365 Prima to the Smrekovit dressing.
- Place the coated side of the dressing directly over the painful area.
- If possible, keep the dressing in place during the day and overnight.
- Approximately twice a day, apply a small additional amount of the product to the dressing.
- If you cannot use it during the day, apply it at least overnight and apply the product to the affected area several times during the day.
With periostitis, persistence is more important than with most minor injuries. A few days of occasional application are not enough to properly assess whether this method of use works for you.
When can you expect the first changes with periostitis?
Based on our practical experience, progress is usually slower than with most other overuse injuries.
During the first week, there should usually be at least some improvement, such as less pain or reduced tenderness in the affected area. The first more significant result is often more realistically assessed after about 14 days of regular use.
For this reason, we do not recommend judging the effect from day to day or stopping after just a few days simply because the problem has not yet disappeared.
What if there is no change after one week?
If there is no improvement at all after about seven days, first check the consistency of dressing use. With this problem, it is important to keep the dressing on the affected area for as long as possible.
If you have used the Smrekovit dressing correctly and intensively enough but there is still no difference after one week, it makes sense to reassess the cause of the problem and whether it really is periostitis.
Strained and partially torn muscles
For a strained or partially torn muscle, we recommend Smrekovit 365 Prima in combination with a Smrekovit dressing. The approach is similar to that used for a sprain: apply the product directly to the injured area and use the dressing for as long as possible.
What do we recommend for a muscle injury?
The first choice is:
- Smrekovit 365 Prima and
- Smrekovit dressing.
If you are allergic or sensitive to spruce resin, you can use Smrekovit 365 Alter instead of Smrekovit 365 Prima.
If you cannot use the dressing, apply Smrekovit 365 Prima to the affected area several times a day. For direct application, you can also use Smrekovit 365 Ekstra, which gives a cooling sensation due to the menthol and camphor. Do not use Smrekovit 365 Ekstra under the Smrekovit dressing.
How to use Smrekovit for a strained or partially torn muscle?
- Apply Smrekovit 365 Prima to the Smrekovit dressing.
- Place the coated side of the dressing directly on the painful or injured part of the muscle.
- Secure it appropriately so that it remains in good contact with the skin.
- If possible, keep the dressing in place for as long as possible.
- Approximately twice a day, apply a small additional amount of the product to the dressing.
If you cannot use the dressing during the day because of work, movement or the location of the injury, apply it at least overnight and apply the product to the injured area several times during the day.
Should an injured muscle be massaged?
No. For a strained or partially torn muscle, we do not recommend massaging the injured area. Simply apply the product evenly or use the Smrekovit dressing without vigorously rubbing it into the injured tissue.
This is an important difference between an injured muscle and merely a tired muscle after exertion. With tired muscles without an injury, gentle massage may be appropriate, but not with a fresh injury to muscle tissue.
When can you expect the first changes?
With minor muscle injuries, the first improvement may appear within a few days. As a general guideline, however, we recommend assessing the effect of correct and regular use after about one week.
By then, there should usually be at least some noticeable difference, such as less pain or tenderness and easier movement or use of the affected muscle.
What if there is no change after one week?
If there is no improvement after about seven days of correct use, first check whether you have been using the product regularly enough and whether the dressing has been kept in place for long enough.
If the use was appropriate, it makes sense to reassess the extent and type of injury. Smrekovit cannot replace necessary treatment for complete ruptures or other more serious structural injuries.
Inflamed tendons and ligaments
For painful or inflamed tendons and ligaments, we recommend Smrekovit 365 Prima in combination with a Smrekovit dressing. Apply the product directly to the painful area or along the affected tendon or ligament, and use the dressing for as long as possible.
Does the pain come from the joint or from a tendon or ligament?
Tendons and ligaments often lie right next to joints, so users may quickly describe the problem as “joint pain” even though the joint itself is not necessarily the source.
If you can localise the pain more precisely to tissue around the joint and it is related to movement, strain or a previous injury, follow these instructions for overuse injuries. If, however, the pain mainly comes from the joint itself or involves osteoarthritis, arthritis or another long-term joint problem, use the instructions in the Joints section.
What do we recommend for inflamed tendons and ligaments?
The first choice is:
- Smrekovit 365 Prima and
- Smrekovit dressing.
If you are allergic or sensitive to spruce resin, you can use Smrekovit 365 Alter instead of Smrekovit 365 Prima.
If you cannot use the dressing, apply the product to the affected area several times a day. For direct application, you can also use Smrekovit 365 Ekstra, which gives a cooling sensation due to the added menthol and camphor. Smrekovit 365 Ekstra is not intended for use under a Smrekovit dressing.
How to use Smrekovit for an inflamed tendon or ligament?
- First, identify the painful area as precisely as possible.
- Apply Smrekovit 365 Prima to the Smrekovit dressing.
- Place the coated side of the dressing directly on the affected area.
- If possible, keep it in place for as long as possible.
- Approximately twice a day, apply a small additional amount of the product to the dressing.
If the dressing cannot be used practically during the day because of movement or the location of the problem, apply it at least overnight and apply the product to the affected area several times during the day.
For more persistent problems, regular and prolonged use is generally more important than applying a large amount of product at one time.
Is massage recommended?
For an injured or inflamed tendon or ligament, intensive massage is not necessary. Apply the product evenly to the skin or use a Smrekovit dressing without strongly massaging the painful area.
When can you expect the first changes?
With minor problems, the first change may be noticeable within a few days. As a general guideline, however, we recommend assessing the result after about one week of regular use.
By then, there should usually be at least some improvement, such as less pain or tenderness or easier use of the affected part of the body.
What if there is no change after one week?
If there is no noticeable difference after about seven days of correct and regular use, first check whether you have been applying the product to the right place and whether the dressing has been used for long enough.
If the use was appropriate, it makes sense to reassess the cause and extent of the problem. Pain near a joint may originate from the joint, tendon, ligament or another tissue, so if there is no improvement, correctly identifying the source of the pain is especially important.
Impacts, bruises and haematomas
For impacts, bruises and haematomas, we recommend starting to use Smrekovit as soon as possible after the injury. Based on our practical experience, a simple rule applies to this type of injury: the sooner, the better.
What do we recommend after an impact?
The first choice is Smrekovit 365 Prima. Apply it to the affected area as soon as possible after the impact and then repeat the application regularly.
If the area is suitable for using a Smrekovit dressing, you can apply Smrekovit 365 Prima to the dressing and place it directly on the injured area. The dressing prolongs contact between the product and the skin, but with a fresh impact do not delay starting simply because you do not have the dressing at hand – first apply the product directly to the affected area.
If you are allergic or sensitive to spruce resin, you can use Smrekovit 365 Alter. For direct application, Smrekovit 365 Ekstra is also an option; due to the menthol and camphor, it gives a cooling sensation. Smrekovit 365 Ekstra is not intended for use under a Smrekovit dressing.
Why is it important to start as soon as possible?
After an impact, a bruise or haematoma can continue to develop for some time after the injury itself. Based on our practical experience, the best result is achieved when Smrekovit is applied soon after the impact, before the haematoma has fully developed.
If we start early enough, we observe that the resulting haematoma can be significantly smaller, and in some cases it does not develop to the extent that would otherwise be expected.
If the haematoma is already clearly present when use begins, using Smrekovit can still be worthwhile. Based on our practical experience, such a haematoma usually subsides more quickly.
How to use Smrekovit for an existing haematoma?
Apply Smrekovit 365 Prima to the affected area several times a day. If possible, you can also use a Smrekovit dressing:
- Apply Smrekovit 365 Prima to the dressing.
- Place the coated side of the dressing on the area of the haematoma.
- Secure it appropriately without strongly compressing the injured area.
- Use the dressing for as long as possible and apply a small additional amount of the product to it approximately twice a day.
Should a haematoma be massaged?
We do not recommend vigorously massaging a freshly injured area. Apply Smrekovit evenly or place the dressing without strongly rubbing it into the injured tissue.
While using Smrekovit, we also generally do not recommend regularly cooling the injured area with ice at the same time.
When is an examination necessary after a strong impact?
A visible bruise or haematoma does not necessarily reveal the full extent of the injury. If the impact was very strong, the injury resulted from a serious fall, or there is suspicion of a fracture or another more serious injury, Smrekovit must not replace the necessary examination and treatment of the underlying injury.
Tired and overworked muscles after exertion
For tired, tense or overworked muscles after physical exertion, Smrekovit can be used mainly by applying it directly to the painful or tired area. If there is no actual muscle injury, you can also gently massage the product in during application.
First distinguish muscle fatigue from an injury
After greater physical activity, muscles can be painful, tense or sensitive even without a tear or other injury. This also includes ordinary sore muscles after more intense physical activity. Such a problem is different from pain that appears after a sudden wrong movement, jerk or another clear muscle injury.
If the pain appeared suddenly during movement, is very localised or there is suspicion of a muscle strain or tear, follow the instructions for strained and partially torn muscles.
If, however, the problem is mainly tired or overworked muscles after exertion without a clear injury event, you can use the simpler method below.
What do we recommend for tired muscles?
The first choice is Smrekovit 365 Prima, which you apply directly to the tired or painful muscles.
For direct application, you can also use Smrekovit 365 Ekstra. The cream contains menthol and camphor and gives a cooling sensation, so it can be especially pleasant after greater physical exertion.
If you are allergic or sensitive to spruce resin, you can use Smrekovit 365 Alter.
How to use Smrekovit for overworked muscles?
Apply the product to the area of tired or painful muscles and repeat the application several times a day as needed.
Because muscle fatigue does not involve freshly injured tissue, you can gently massage the cream in during application. The massage should feel pleasant and should not cause additional pain.
A Smrekovit dressing is generally not necessary for ordinary muscle fatigue. You can use it for more persistent local overuse when you want to prolong contact between the product and the skin.
When can you expect a change?
With ordinary muscle fatigue after exertion, it is reasonable to expect a difference relatively quickly. However, if the pain persists, worsens or repeatedly becomes pronounced again with renewed activity, reassess whether there may actually be an injury to a muscle, tendon or another tissue.
If the problem behaves more like an injury than ordinary muscle fatigue, continue with the instructions for strained and partially torn muscles or another appropriate type of injury.
Inflamed muscles
For inflamed muscles, we recommend Smrekovit 365 Prima, and for a more persistent or localised problem also the use of a Smrekovit dressing. Apply the product directly to the painful area and use it regularly enough to assess the condition after about one week.
What do we recommend for an inflamed muscle?
The first choice is Smrekovit 365 Prima. If the painful area is suitable for a dressing, you can apply the cream to a Smrekovit dressing and thus prolong contact between the product and the skin.
If you are allergic or sensitive to spruce resin, you can use Smrekovit 365 Alter. If you only want to apply a cream and prefer a cooling sensation, you can also use Smrekovit 365 Ekstra, which contains menthol and camphor. Smrekovit 365 Ekstra is not intended for use under a dressing.
How to use Smrekovit for an inflamed muscle?
Apply the product to the affected area several times a day. For a more persistent problem, apply Smrekovit 365 Prima to a Smrekovit dressing and place it directly on the painful area.
If possible, keep the dressing in place for as long as possible. Approximately twice a day, apply a small additional amount of the product to it. If you cannot use it during the day, apply it at least overnight and apply the product to the painful area several times during the day.
Can the pain temporarily increase at the beginning?
Yes. With inflamed muscles and some overuse conditions in particular, our practical experience shows relatively often that the pain may temporarily be stronger during the first few days.
Users may experience more pain, throbbing or a somewhat different sensation in the painful area. Such an initial change usually lasts about 2 to 3 days, after which the condition begins to improve.
If the condition instead continues to worsen or signs appear that are not typical of an ordinary muscle problem, reassess the cause of the pain.
When can you expect the first changes?
With correct and regular use, there should usually be at least a clear improvement within about seven days, for example less pain or tenderness or easier movement and use of the muscle.
If there is no change at all after one week, check the consistency of use and, above all, whether the pain really originates from the muscle. Pain near a joint may also originate from a tendon, ligament or the joint itself, while pain that spreads along a limb may originate from the spine.
About these instructions
These instructions are based primarily on many years of practical experience using Smrekovit products, user feedback and knowledge gained through the development and use of the products.
Where we describe specific methods of use, product selection, the expected course or other practical details, these are based primarily on our practical experience. This is not equivalent to the results of clinical research and does not guarantee that every user will respond in the same way.
Where necessary, we verify and supplement general information about individual problems using professional sources. Where these are important for understanding the content, we cite them on the page.
We regularly supplement and update the instructions based on new experience, user feedback and available professional knowledge.