Muscle Strain Treatment at a Derby, CT, Urgent Care Center

Almost everyone is familiar with muscle strains, or pulled muscles. Whether you felt a twinge while going for a run or pain after lifting your child into his car seat, muscle strains happen easily due to fatigue, overuse, or improper use. While muscle strains can commonly be treated at home, in certain cases, they require prompt medical attention. Be sure to visit PhysicianOne Urgent Care in Derby, Connecticut, if you heard a popping sound when you were injured, if there is severe swelling or bruising, or if you’re still in pain after a week.

Treating Muscle Strains at Home

The RICE method is typically the best at-home muscle strain treatment to relieve your pain. It involves:

• Rest – Avoid using the affected muscle for at least a few days.
• Ice – Apply ice to the injury immediately. During the first day, ice your injury for 20 minutes every hour. After that, ice it for 20 minutes a few times a day until you’re feeling better.
• Compression – Use an elastic bandage to wrap the injured area. This compression will help reduce any swelling.
• Elevation – Try to elevate the injured muscle so it’s above your heart.

You may also want to take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help with any discomfort you feel. Additionally, you can apply heat to the muscle a few days after your injury.

Urgent Care Treatment for Muscle Strains

At PhysicianOne Urgent Care, our experienced practitioners offer muscle strain treatment for those with more severe injuries. In certain cases, X-rays may be ordered to rule out a different injury or to see if there is fluid around the affected joint. Our urgent care center has on-site X-ray capabilities for your convenience.

Treatment plans differ from patient to patient, but we may splint the injury to keep it immobile while it heals or recommend physical therapy or chiropractic care to prevent further injuries.

PhysicianOne Urgent Care in Derby is open seven days per week, so stop by whenever you need medical attention, and we’ll take care of you.