Sprains
A sprain injures ligaments that connect bone to bone. Pain, swelling, bruising, and instability vary by severity; a severe sprain can occur with a fracture.
Minor injury and pain guidance
Muscle and Joint Pain
Mild sprains and strains may improve with protection, relative rest, cold therapy, compression, elevation, and gradual movement. A pharmacist can assess eligible minor injuries, review pain-relief safety, prescribe when appropriate, or refer when symptoms suggest fracture, major tear, infection, or another cause.
General education only. An assessment may lead to self-care, non-prescription treatment, an eligible prescription, testing, or referral.
Direct answer
Match the care to the injury
Sprains, strains, overuse pain, fractures, tendon injuries, arthritis, and joint infection can overlap. The injury mechanism, ability to bear weight, swelling, stability, and red flags determine next steps.
Strains
A strain injures muscle or tendon and may cause tenderness, spasm, weakness, swelling, bruising, or limited movement. A complete tear may cause a bulge or deformity.
Overuse and tendon pain
Repetitive activity may irritate muscles, tendons, or bursae. Persistent pain needs diagnosis, load adjustment, and rehabilitation planning rather than repeated pain-medicine use alone.
Unexplained joint pain
A hot swollen joint, prolonged morning stiffness, recurrent swelling, or pain without a clear minor injury should not be self-diagnosed as a sprain or strain.
Complete clinical guide
Complete source treatment guide
Review the original MedBox treatment information preserved from the Webflow page.
Strains and Sprains
About Strains and Sprains
Musculoskeletal sprains and strains may sound like complicated terms, but they are common issues that can affect anyone, causing discomfort in the muscles and joints. These common injuries may sound daunting, but with the right knowledge and care, recovery is within reach.
The good news is that MedBox can make it easier for you to manage these minor setbacks and navigate through the pain.
What are the Differences between Strains & Sprains?
- Sprains occur when ligaments, the tissues connecting bones, get injured due to excessive force or overstretching.
- Strains happen when muscles stretch beyond their limits or contract too intensely, causing discomfort and pain.
Other common sports injuries include bursitis, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, tennis elbow and tendonitis. These injuries often result from trauma, sports, exercise or overuse, such as with repetitive motions.
How can I treat Strains & Sprains?
Life happens, and so do injuries. That's where RICE comes in – no, not the grain, but Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. These steps are your primary line of defense in those crucial first hours post-injury.
Consider these simple measures:
- Avoid heat, exercise, massage, or alcohol during this period.
- After two days, when the swelling subsides, a commercial heat pack can help ease pain and stiffness.
- Massage and physiotherapy are also excellent options for targeted relief.
Discover relief with these medication choices designed to effectively alleviate your symptoms:
Medication categories
Topical Pain Relievers and Counterirritants
What it does:
Relieves general aches and pains during rehab and recovery.
Medications in this class:
Methyl Salicylate, Menthol, Camphor, Capsaicin, Diclofenac, and Ketoprofen.
Pros:
- Useful when undergoing physiotherapy or massage therapy.
- Good for cases where oral medications are considered risky.
Cons:
- Tends to have limited effectiveness.
- Can cause skin reactions such as rash, blisters or more rarely, severe burns.
Oral Anti-inflammatory Agents (NSAIDs)
What it does:
Reduces pain, swelling and inflammation, the root cause of pain due to injury.
Medications in this class:
Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac, Celecoxib, and Mefenamic Acid.
Pros:
- Quick solution for acute pain.
- Long term chronic pain relief.
Cons:
- Not suitable for long-term use.
- Can cause stomach pain and heartburn, liver disease and kidney and bleeding issues in some people that have certain medical conditions.
Oral Analgesics
What it does:
Reduces pain sensations but not swelling.
Medications in this class:
Acetaminophen.
Pros:
- Good for short and long term pain.
- Good for cases where NSAIDs should be avoided.
Cons:
- Not effective for inflammation.
- Not suitable in cases where there are liver issues or alcoholism.
Muscle Relaxers
What it does:
Helps reduce stiffness and pain from muscle spasms.
Medications in this class:
Baclofen, Cyclobenzaprine, and Methocarbamol.
Pros:
- Maybe helpful in limited cases where muscle spasms are present.
Cons:
- Usually not an effective pain reliever.
- Can cause drowsiness, dizziness and disorientation.
Corticosteroids
What it does:
Local injection of corticosteroids can help with pain in certain conditions such as tendonitis.
Medications in this class:
Hydrocortisone and Methylprednisolone.
Pros:
- Helpful when other treatments have failed.
Cons:
- Limited effectiveness.
- Increases risk of muscle wasting, tendon rupture and osteoporosis.
- May cause flare up of pain and swelling, infection, and nerve damage.
Pain relief depends on your health history
Topical and oral pain products have different benefits and risks. A pharmacist can help choose a safer option and determine whether the injury fits minor-ailment care.
- Assess the injury mechanism, timing, ability to bear weight, swelling, bruising, stability, movement, and pain severity.
- Review pregnancy, age, ulcers or bleeding, kidney or liver disease, blood thinners, allergies, and current medicines.
- Recommend non-drug care and suitable topical or oral options, or prescribe for an eligible sprain or strain when appropriate.
- Refer possible fracture, major tear, infection, nerve or circulation compromise, or unexplained persistent pain.
Seek prompt medical care for injury red flags
- visible deformity, an open injury, or major trauma
- inability to bear weight or use the limb
- a pop or snap with marked instability, weakness, or rapidly increasing swelling
- numbness, tingling, loss of sensation, or a pale or cold limb
- a hot, red, swollen joint with fever or feeling unwell
- pain or function that is worsening or not improving as expected
If symptoms are severe or you believe there is an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For non-emergency health advice in Ontario, contact Health811.
Early care for a mild sprain or strain
Protect the injury while avoiding unnecessary prolonged immobility. Progress activity based on pain, function, and professional advice.
- Use protection and relative rest from the activity that caused the injury.
- Apply a cold pack with a cloth barrier for short periods early after injury; do not apply ice directly to skin.
- Use compression only if advised and loosen it if numbness, tingling, coolness, increased pain, or swelling develops below the wrap.
- Elevate the injured area when practical and begin gradual pain-limited movement as recovery allows.
- Consider physiotherapy or another rehabilitation plan when pain, weakness, or limited movement persists.
TC
Clinical review
Written and clinically reviewed by Tejal Chauhan
BScPhm, RPh, Pharmacist and Owner, MedBox Rx Pharmacy
Reviewed July 24, 2026 · Next review July 24, 2027. This page uses current Ontario pharmacist scope and cited health guidance. Individual treatment depends on an assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Muscle and Joint Pain FAQs
What is the difference between a sprain and a strain?
A sprain affects ligaments that connect bones. A strain affects muscle or tendon. Both can cause pain, swelling, bruising, and reduced movement, and severe cases need medical assessment.
Can an Ontario pharmacist prescribe for a sprain or strain?
Eligible musculoskeletal sprains and strains are included in Ontario’s minor-ailments framework. A pharmacist assesses injury severity, medical history, medicines, and red flags before recommending or prescribing treatment.
Which pain reliever is safest for me?
It depends on age, pregnancy, allergies, kidney or liver disease, stomach ulcers or bleeding, blood thinners, heart conditions, and other medicines. Ask a pharmacist before combining products.
When might an injury be a fracture?
Deformity, inability to bear weight, severe focal tenderness, major swelling, a significant mechanism of injury, or worsening pain can indicate a fracture or major tear and should be medically assessed.