Please provide some do's and don'ts on dealing with muscle strain.

Ignore: Eat a teaspoonful of yellow mustard to reduce soreness of muscle strain.

Ignore: If in spasm use ice acutely, and warm compress if chronic.

Ignore: Do take it easy. Dont over stretch. Do massage. Don't exercise until no pain. Start back slowly.

Ignore: Do apply an ice pack if it is a recent injury. Don't over use the muscle.

Ignore: Needs limited activity to allow recovery; not a problem to "push through".

Ignore: If you think you have overworked that day, always take a warm bath before resting.

Ignore: Limit swelling by using ice packs and keeping muscle in stretched position. Don't use heat first!

Ignore: Frequent stretching, massage and anti-inflammatory medications are the first line of treatment.

Ignore: Use ice initially and then moist heat to relieve a muscle strain.

Ignore: Do rest the involved muscle at first. Do alternate heat and ice.

Ice,: Ice, rest and anti-inflammatories. don't avoid muscle use, just avoid overuse.

Ignore: Increasing water intake helps deliver blood and other nutrients to strained or spasmed muscles.

Let: Let your muscle strain heal completely before you resume activitie(s) which may prolong the injury.

After: After 48 hours of rest start gentle stretches twice a day.