How to Use Prescription Drugs to Treat Muscle Sprains

When you severely sprain or strain a muscle or other soft tissue, prescription drugs may well become part of your comprehensive treatment plan. Pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxers, however, won't "cure" muscle damage. They will work to relieve the tension in the injured area so that it can heal. You'll have to do everything you can to help the medicine do its job.

Things You'll Need

• Doctor's examination and prescription
• Resources for treatment of sprains
• Prescription medication and product details
• First-aid supplies

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Instructions

Get Prescription Drugs

• 1

  Decide whether to go to a hospital emergency room or make an appointment to see a health-care professional for a diagnosis when your muscle injury is very severe. Be prepared to share your medical history so a decision can be made about which medications might be best for you.

• 2

  See a doctor for an examination of your muscle sprain or strain area. You will probably just be given a stress test or simple physical exam, but you may need X-rays or further tests to rule out broken bones or other complications.

• 3

  Request prescription pain relievers if you don't tolerate pain well or if the pain is overwhelming. Your doctor may prescribe other medications to use, as well, such as muscle relaxants or additional anti-inflammatory drugs.

Use Prescription Drugs to Treat Sprains

• 4

  Fill your prescriptions and use them along with ice therapy and other methods to treat sprains.

• 5

  Continue to use all your medication or get refills while you begin physical therapy (such as stretching) to restore your normal range of motion. Find stretching exercises in "Stretching for Dummies" (see Resources below).