Musculoskeletal sprains and strains
Sprains and strains are common soft-tissue injuries. A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament (the tissue connecting bones at a joint), often from a twist or awkward landing. A strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon, like a pulled hamstring or back muscle. Both cause pain, swelling, tenderness, and sometimes bruising or reduced movement. Most mild ones heal on their own over a couple of weeks with rest and simple pain relief — but a pharmacist can help confirm it’s a minor injury and flag when an injury needs imaging.
Self-care products available in our shop
- Oral pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen)
- Topical anti-inflammatory gels/rubs (e.g., diclofenac/Voltaren)
- Cold packs for the first 48 hours to reduce swelling
- Compression bandages and supports to stabilize and reduce swelling
- RICE for the first 2 days: rest the area, ice 10–20 minutes every few hours (with a towel between ice and skin), compress with a bandage, and elevate above heart level to drain swelling.
Treatments our pharmacist can prescribe
For your information only: in Ontario, our pharmacist can assess this condition and, when appropriate, prescribe from the medications listed below. This information is provided for educational purposes — it is not an offer to sell. These are prescription treatments that require a pharmacist assessment, and the right option is chosen for you.
Analgesics: Acetaminophen
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs): Acetylsalicylic acid / ASA, Celecoxib (Celebrex), Diclofenac (Voltaren), Flurbiprofen (Ansaid), Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Ketoprofen, Mefenamic acid (Ponstan), Naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve)
When to seek further care: See a health-care provider if you can’t bear weight or use the limb, the joint looks deformed or unstable, there’s numbness/tingling or significant swelling, you heard a “pop” at the time of injury, or the injury hasn’t improved after 2 weeks. These can signal a fracture or more serious injury needing imaging.