Muscle strains are common injuries that occur when a muscle is overstretched or torn. They can happen to anyone and are often the result of sudden or awkward movements, heavy lifting, or overuse.
Like any injury, muscle strains vary in severity. Mild strains may only cause minor discomfort that fades quickly, but more severe strains can cause significant pain that limits your daily life. When this happens, it’s time to seek professional care.
Our team at Full Orthopedics Urgent Care, in North Miami Beach, Florida, specializes in treatment for strains and sprains to help relieve your pain and promote faster healing. You don’t have to wait it out — here’s how we can help.
Your muscles are naturally strong and flexible, but overstretching or overuse can make the muscle fibers weaken or tear. Muscle strains often come with symptoms like pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the affected muscle.
You can strain just about any muscle, but a few of the most common areas are your lower back, hamstrings, and shoulders. Minor strains can often heal with rest and self-care, but more serious strains may require professional treatment to help you fully recover and avoid complications.
If you have a painful muscle strain, don’t ignore it. Seeking medical care helps you get the right diagnosis and care you need to lower your risk of long-term pain or re-injury.
Our urgent care clinic provides quick, accessible treatment for strains and sprains. We have comprehensive diagnostic services and X-ray abilities onsite to assess your condition, and we create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
If you have a muscle strain or sprain, we might prescribe a combination of treatments like:
Applying ice helps reduce swelling and numb pain in the initial stages of healing, while heat therapy helps increase blood flow and flexibility as healing progresses. Alternating between ice and heat can be an effective approach for relieving pain and reducing stiffness.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help manage pain and inflammation, making it easier to rest your injured area without discomfort.
Certain vitamins and minerals play a crucial role in muscle repair and recovery. For example, vitamins C and D support collagen production and muscle function, while magnesium relaxes muscles and reduces cramping.
If you have significant inflammation, steroid injections may be an option for you. These injections can provide rapid pain relief and reduce swelling, especially for strains that cause intense discomfort or are resistant to other treatments.
Supportive devices like a sling, splint, or brace can help immobilize and stabilize your injured muscle or joint, allowing it to rest and recover without additional strain or movement. Bracing the area can also help prevent further injury.
For more severe strains, especially if it affects your lower body, we might recommend assistive devices like a cane or crutches to help you get around. Using an assistive device relieves weight from the affected area, which helps support healing without putting extra stress on the muscle as you go about your day.
If you’re dealing with a painful muscle strain, don’t let it limit you — our team is here to help. For fast and expert care, don't hesitate to consult our team at Full Orthopedics Urgent Care. Call our office to schedule an appointment or check in online to get started. You can also just walk in.