Rest

• Muscle strains respond very well to brief periods of rest and disuse. Resting an area of the body that has a muscle strain allows the inflammation and irritation to subside, which promotes healing and repair.
  
  

Ice Therapy

• Applying ice, either a bag of ice or a cold compress, to the strained muscle area helps to reduce swelling and inflammation of the muscle fibers and also helps to reduce pain.
  
  

Heat Therapy

• After the initial swelling and/or inflammation (if any) of the strained muscle has subsided, applying heat to the area increases circulation and helps prevent muscle cramping, thus reducing pain and increasing the flexibility of the muscle.
  
  

Massage

• Massaging a muscle strain using gentle, even strokes of the fingers and/or hands is a great way to increase circulation to the area as well as prevent muscle cramping and stiffness, all of which can help to reduce pain levels and speed recovery.
  
  

Aerobic Exercise

• Performing light aerobic exercise increases blood flow throughout the body and raises core body temperature, both of which help to increase muscle flexibility and reduce pain levels, beneficial for treating muscle strains.