What treatments are recommended for sprains and strains?
Sprains and strains usually will heal in two to three weeks, and most can be treated at home. Consider taking these steps: • If pain occurs while you’re active, stop and rest. Continued activity will make it worse • Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling • If your fingers are injured, remove jewelry immediately to avoid restricting blood flow and possibly having to have a ring cut off • Follow the traditional therapy of RICER: • Rest the injury for a day or two • Ice the injury for 10 to 15 minutes at 2-hour intervals for the first 48 to 72 hours • Compress the injury by tightly wrapping it with an elastic bandage for 30 minutes, then unwrapping for 15 minutes. Repeat several times.
