Sprains occur because of excessive stretching or tearing of a ligament, which is one of those tough bands of elastic-like tissue attached to a joint. If you suffer a sprain, all that pain and swelling are sure to send you to a doctor, who may prescribe a compression air cast. But most sprains are minor, and with proper R and R, you'll fully recover in a few weeks. To help yourself along, try these measures. There's a difference between sprains and strains.
Strains occur when a muscle is stretched or partially torn.
If you have a strain, you can tell, because it won't get swollen or black and blue like a sprain. And the treatment is different. You'll heal faster from a strain if the area around the injured muscle is heated slightly, says John Rabkin, M.D., assistant professor of surgery at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland. Heat works better for strains because it increases blood flow and the influx of oxygen to muscles, which speeds production of collagen , a crucial step in the healing process. Just put a hot water bottle or heating pad on the affected area for 15 to 30 minutes four to six times a day.