How to Recognize When to Seek Medical Care for Muscle Sprains

Sprains and similar muscle injuries need fast treatment. You have two choices for care: Treat them yourself or seek emergency medical care. If you don't want to make unnecessary trips to the emergency room, you need to recognize the range of symptoms that can be handled through self-treatment. If your sprain should worsen or suffer another trauma, though, you'll require sound medical advice and care. Learn when to say when.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Your medical history
• Treatment information for sprains
• Cold packs and pain relievers
• Some knowledge of muscles and human anatomy

Pursue Self-Care Options First

1. Listen to your body at the time of your injury and as healing progresses. Gauge whether health is critical or not by paying attention to the continuum of a condition as it unfolds.
2. See how your body responds to a treatment regimen of rest, ice applications, compression bandages for support and elevation. If pain lessens, inflammation is decreasing, and you should heal on your own.
3. Continue treatment, including taking pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or aspirin for 3 days after your symptoms subside, to prevent recurrent injury.

Consult Health-Care Professionals

4. Call or email your doctor's office or health center. They may staff an "advice nurse" or similar support person whom you can present with the details of your condition to see if a doctor consultation is recommended.
5. Learn by doing. Seek a doctor's advice and care when you think the situation finally warrants it, and learn from the result. Next time, you'll have a good insight into what to do.

Tips & Warnings

• All of your past health issues contribute to your current health status. Don't discount seemingly unrelated sprains or symptoms when talking to your doctor or nurse about your muscle, tendon or ligament injury.
• Body awareness can take some practice, but it will become easier to recognize the nature and severity of conditions so you can better treat yourself.
• Muscle tears and sprains may be indicative of deeper concerns. Use guidelines for how to recognize when to seek professional medical help, but err on the side of caution if your condition worsens.
• Take all medications according to manufacturer directions.