a friend tweaked a hammy. best treatment - hot or cold?

[KG]

i always did heat for muscle injuries, and ice for joints.

what say my fellow DUers?

[GOPisEvil]

1. I've heard the same thing.

But, I'm no doctor; I just play one on DU. :7

[Girlfriday]

2. I think, RICE

Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation :)

[leftist_rebel1569]

6. yeah

my dad tore his hamstring and that's what the doctors recommended...so yeah, do that...

[SOteric]

3. Ice for anything inflamed, swollen

or bruised. Heat for anything tightly contracting or spasming.

[TrogL]

4. He did what to a hampster?

Is that like gerbilling?

[priller]

5. As a victim of many hamstring pulls

heat has worked for me. Hot tub or very hot bath works well, just to get it nice and relaxed.

[KG]

7. other than passive treatments, anything else?

like massage?

[Don_G]

8. Tylenol

It will reduce the inflammation a little.

[Habibi]

9. I second (or third) the ice treatment initially, and

when the inflammation has subsided, then your friend can think about heat and massage, if needed. I speak as a former MT, and this is what we were taught. I think. (Shoot, it's been a *long* time!)

You can also alternate ice and heat. The heat will be mainly for comfort purposes, though. Tylenol or some other otc painkiller/inflammation reducer should help, as well.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

10. Ice immediately, and heat 24-48 hours later depeding on

how long it is swollen

Tylenol and Motrin for pain

immobilize it as much as possible, like with high boots

be more friggn careful