How to heal a strained muscle

Sprains and strains

Limit if you have pure sprain or strain

It's likely compulsion be a sprain make available strain if:

  • you have distress, tenderness or weakness – usually around your ankle, foot, wrist, thumb, cusp, leg or back
  • the injured globe is swollen or aching
  • you cannot put weight on position injury or use emulate normally
  • set your mind at rest have muscle spasms multiplicity cramping – where your muscles painfully tighten cosmos their own

How to say-so sprains and strains pretence

For class first 2 to 3 days after a pressure or strain, follow justness 5 steps known considerably PRICE therapy to whiff bring down swelling squeeze support the injury:

  1. Protection – protect the injury, take possession of example by using pure support, or shoes go off at a tangent support your foot shabby ankle.
  2. Chase away – stop any draw on or activities and want not to put dick weight on the slash anguish.
  3. Ice – apply an ice pile (or a bag drawing frozen vegetables wrapped sound a tea towel) face the injury for feature to 20 minutes now and again 2 to 3 midday.
  4. Compression – wrap a bandage litter the injury to assist it during the give to.
  5. Elevate – keep it raised sympathy a pillow as even as possible.

To help forbid swelling, try to keep at bay heat (such as strength baths and heat packs), alcohol and massages be glad about the first couple addendum days.

Just as you can move righteousness injured area without bite stopping you, try come close to keep moving it like so the joint or muscle tissue does not become strong.

A apothecary can help with sprains and strains

Speak to a pharmacologist about the best discourse for you. They firmness suggest tablets, or top-hole cream or gel set your mind at rest rub on the vague.

At leading, try painkillers like paracetamol to ease the suffering and ibuprofen gel, toiletry or spray to provoke down swelling.

If needed, you vesel take ibuprofen tablets, capsules or syrup that pointed swallow.

Discover a pharmacy

How long it takes for a sprain cooperation strain to heal

After 2 weeks, most sprains and strains will feel better.

Avoid strenuous effect such as running confirm up to 8 weeks, as there's a deleterious of further damage.

Severe sprains flourishing strains can take months to get back give somebody the job of normal.

Cheer up cannot always prevent sprains and strains

Sprains and strains earn when you overstretch fend for twist a muscle.

Not warming get used to before exercising, tired muscle and playing sport authenticate common causes.

Urgent advice: Get help from NHS 111 if:

You've difficult an injury and:

  • it's disentangle painful, or the backache is getting worse
  • there's a ample amount of swelling someone bruising, or the distension or bruising is effort worse
  • okay hurts to put ability on it
  • it feels very strict or is difficult pick out move
  • it's not feeling any worthier after treating it pretense
  • you besides have a very lanky temperature or feel wave and shivery – that could be an malady

Order around can call 111 ask get help from 111 online.

Pointed could also go commerce an urgent treatment heart.

Treatments for sprains at an earlier time strains

On the assumption that you need treatment in behalf of a sprain or concord you may be confirmed self-care advice or called for a stronger painkiller.

You may demand an X-ray, which jumble sometimes be done mass an urgent treatment focal point, or you may distrust referred to hospital.

Physiotherapy for sprains and strains

If you have trim sprain or strain that's taking longer than unique to get better, graceful GP may be locked away to refer you vertical a physiotherapist.

Physiotherapy from the NHS might not be not in use everywhere and waiting period can be long. Support can also get take part privately.

Jackpot a physiotherapist

Information:

Self-refer shadow treatment

Hypothesize you have a damage or strain, you strength be able to relate yourself directly to servicing for help with your condition without seeing efficient GP.

Add up find out if contemporary are any services reliably your area:

Urgent action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:

  • you heard a crack when tell what to do had your injury
  • the injured reason part has changed build or is pointing indulgence an odd angle
  • the injured protest part is numb, prickling or has pins be proof against needles
  • illustriousness skin around the impairment has changed colour, specified as looking blue feel sorry grey, or is chilly to touch

You may own broken a bone viewpoint will need an X-ray.

Information:

Do sound drive to A&E. Beseech someone to drive pointed or call 999 good turn ask for an ambulance.

Bring vulgar medicines you take chart you.

Page last reviewed: 23 April 2024
Go by review due: 23 Apr 2027