DON’T USE ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES
If you’ve torn a calf or a hamstring before, you’ll know how crippling and painful it can be. What felt a bit sore and stiff after the game/run/incident can make you totally unable to walk the next day.
Apart from the usual advice we give regarding R.I.C.E (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) you’ll possibly need crutches, and possibly feel the need to take some medication.
Analgaesia is perfectly fine to take to help manage this pain (Panadol, Panadeine, Panadeine Forte etc) but anti-inflammatories are a definite NO NO. Particularly in the first 72hrs following a muscle tear, as these drugs have a similar action to Aspirin, and will stop clotting, leading to much more bleeding than you should normally experience (and therefore swelling and bruising).
Additionally, anti-inflammatories have been shown to reduce muscular healing rates in the four to six weeks following a tear, so the general rule of thumb is – Don’t use them!