Muscle Strain

Prevention

To help prevent muscle strains:

• Warm up before participating in sports and activities.

• Follow an exercise program aimed at stretching and strengthening your muscles.

• Increase the intensity of your training gradually. Never push yourself too hard, too soon.

• Maintain a healthy body weight. Obesity can stress muscles, especially those in your legs and back.

• Practice good posture when you sit and stand.

• Use the correct technique when lifting heavy loads.

Treatment

If you have a Grade I or Grade II strain, your doctor will ask you to follow the RICE rule:

• Rest the injured muscle (and take a temporary break from sports activities).

• Ice the injured area to reduce swelling.

• Compress the muscle with an elastic bandage.

• Elevate the injured area.

To help relieve muscle pain and swelling, your doctor may suggest that you take acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and others). If your pain does not improve with NSAIDs or acetaminophen (Tylenol), your doctor may prescribe pain medications or muscle relaxants.

If you have a severe Grade II or Grade III strain, your doctor may refer you to a specialist. Depending on the severity and location of your muscle strain, the specialist may put the injured muscle in a cast for several weeks or repair it surgically.

Mild strains may heal quickly on their own, but more severe strains may require a rehabilitation program.