Medication
Treating a Pulled Muscle
- Rest. Rest is recommended for the early recovery phase, lasting one to five days depending on the severity of the injury.
- Ice. Ice application helps reduce swelling, bleeding, and pain. ...
- Anti-Inflammatory Medications. ...
- Gentle Stretching. ...
- Strengthening. ...
- Heat Applications. ...
- Avoid Muscle Fatigue. ...
- Warm up Properly. ...
Therapy
How to Treat a Pulled Muscle
- Elevate, compress, and ice it. The sooner you can get the pulled muscle above your heart, apply compression, and ice it, the better, Hamilton says.
- Avoid pain medications. Your first instinct about how to treat a pulled muscle might be to grab some ibuprofen. ...
- Watch for bruising. ...
- Don't stretch or roll it out. ...
- See a doctor. ...
- Take it easy. ...
Self-care
Recovery times can vary, depending on the extent of the injury. A person with a grade 1 injury will likely recover within 1–2 weeks if they rest the muscle as much as possible. It can take longer to recover from a grade 2 or 3 strain, in some cases over 1 month.
Nutrition
3 Quick & Easy Steps to Recover from a Strained, Pulled, or Torn Back Stretching Your Lumbar Muscles to help with Strains or Tears. Strengthen Your Back Muscles to Prevent Future Injuries. Rest, and Ice or Heat Therapy.
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What is the best way to treat a pulled muscle?
What are some home remedies for a pulled muscle?
How long does a pulled muscle take to heal?
How to treat and recover from a strained or pulled muscle?
How long does a pulled muscle take to heal?
For a mild strain, you may be able to return to normal activities within three to six weeks with basic home care. For more severe strains, recovery can take several months. In severe cases, surgical repair and physical therapy may be necessary. With proper treatment, most people recover completely.
What is the fastest way to heal a pulled muscle?
TreatmentRest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort. ... Ice. Even if you're seeking medical help, ice the area immediately. ... Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the area with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops. ... Elevation.
How do I know if my muscle is pulled?
Signs and symptoms will vary, depending on the severity of the injury, and may include:Pain or tenderness.Redness or bruising.Limited motion.Muscle spasms.Swelling.Muscle weakness.
What is the best medicine for pulled muscle?
Some typical first-step treatments for a pulled low back muscle include: Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen reduce inflammation, which often contributes to pain. Anti-inflammatory medicines are available over-the-counter or with a prescription.
How does a pulled muscle feel?
The key symptoms of a muscle strain are: sudden pain that worsens while contracting the muscle, swelling and bruising, loss of strength and range of motion. People often report the sensation of pain as the feeling of being "stabbed." When muscle is initially injured, significant inflammation and swelling occurs.
Is heat good for a pulled muscle?
A pulled muscle should first be treated using the R.I.C.E. method. During the first 72 hours, heat should be avoided to prevent increased swelling and inflammation. After about 72 hours, heat can be incorporated into treatment to increase blood flow and aid the overall healing process.
What is the best tablet for muscle pain?
Muscle relaxants may help reduce pain, and improve movement and range of motion, but your doctor will likely recommend that you first try acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)....Over-the-counter Options for Muscle SpasmsAspirin (Bayer, Excedrin)Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)Naproxen (Aleve)
Should you massage a pulled muscle?
As is the case for muscle and tendon strains, deep tissue massage to the injury itself is contraindicated in the acute stage of any sprain. However, massage for your injury in the surrounding musculature can aid in reducing inflammation and speed up the recovery process.
When should I be worried about muscle pain?
Get immediate medical care if you have muscle pain with: Trouble breathing or dizziness. Extreme muscle weakness. A high fever and stiff neck.
Should I take anti-inflammatory for pulled muscle?
Rest the strained muscle and apply ice for the first few days after the injury. Anti-inflammatory medicines or acetaminophen (Tylenol) also help reduce pain and swelling. As the pain decreases, you can use heat on the muscle. Stretching and light exercises to bring blood to the injured area can also be useful.
What is a pulled muscle?
A pulled or strained muscle is one that has been overstretched due to physical activity, resulting in swelling and pain. Pulled muscles are common injuries that can usually be effectively treated at home. Learn how to care for your pulled muscle and decide when medical intervention is necessary. Steps.
How long does it take to recover from a pulled muscle?
Take a few days to recover from the pulled muscle before resuming the activity that caused it.
How to stop a muscle tear?
1. Rest the muscle. When you strain a muscle, stop doing the activity that caused it to be strained. Pulled muscles are actually rips in muscle fibers, and further exertion could cause the tear to grow larger and lead to a serious injury. Let the amount of pain you feel be your guide.
What does it mean when your muscles are pulled?
Warm up. Pulled muscles happen when your muscles get overstrained, which can often occur as a result of exerting yourself before you've properly warmed up. Take the time to stretch and get your muscles warmed up before you participate in a physical activity.
How to prevent pulling muscle?
Do strength training. Incorporating weightlifting and other strength training into your exercise routine can help prevent the chance that you'll pull a muscle during an activity. Use free weights at home or work out in the weight room at the gym to build a solid, strong core and keep your muscles limber. ...
What does it mean when you pull a muscle?
You may think you pulled a muscle during a physical activity, but if you experience these other symptoms at the same time, make an appointment to see a doctor: Bruising. Swelling. Signs of infection, like itchiness and red, raised skin.
How to get rid of a sore muscle?
2. Ice the muscle. Icing the area reduces swelling and helps ease the pain. Fill a large food storage bag with ice cubes. Wrap it in a thin towel, to protect your skin from getting damaged by direct ice. Hold the ice pack to your sore area for 20 minutes at a time 4 to 8 times a day until the swelling has gone down.
What is the best treatment for a sprained limb?
Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can be helpful for pain relief during this time period. A physical therapist can help you to maximize stability and strength of the injured joint or limb. Your doctor may suggest that you immobilize the area with a brace or splint.
What to look for in a physical exam for a ruptured tendon?
Diagnosis. During the physical exam, your doctor will check for swelling and points of tenderness. The location and intensity of your pain can help determine the extent and nature of the damage. In more severe injuries, where the muscle or tendon has been completely ruptured, your doctor may be able to see or feel a defect in the area of injury.
What is a pulled muscle?
A pulled muscle, or muscle strain , occurs when a muscle or tendon is overstretched or torn. Muscle strains can occur without warning and affect people of all ages and fitness levels. Because these types of injuries can range in severity, you should see your doctor right away if you:
How long does it take to heal a pulled muscle?
However, you should consult with your doctor if you still have pain after 24 hours of at-home treatment.
How to help a muscle sprain?
Ice can help reduce inflammation. Never apply ice directly to bare skin; instead, wrap the ice pack in a towel first. Compression. Wrapping the muscle with an elastic bandage can help bring down swelling.
What are the symptoms of a pulled muscle?
Symptoms of a pulled muscle include: Bruising, swelling or redness at the injury site. Difficulty using the affected muscle. Muscle weakness. Sudden pain when using the affected muscle. Pain when the muscle is at rest.
How to reduce swelling from a muscle injury?
Medication. Your physician may recommend a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, like ibuprofen, to reduce pain and swelling. Heat. Use a heating pad a few times a day after three days. Never apply heat directly to bare skin; always wrap the heating pad in a towel.
How to prevent pulling muscles?
How to prevent a pulled muscle. “Pulled muscles can be prevented by utilizing proper technique when lifting and carrying,” says Dr. Powell. “For instance, individuals may pull a muscle at the gym due to improper form while exercising or by lifting something heavy and forgetting to bend at the knees.
What causes muscle strains?
Muscle strains can be caused by: 1 Lifting an object that is too heavy 2 Lifting improperly 3 Not warming up before or stretching after a workout 4 Overusing a muscle 5 Poor posture
How to treat a pulled muscle?
Your first instinct about how to treat a pulled muscle might be to grab some ibuprofen. But that's a big no-no, granted you can bear it. "Pain medications like over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs may not be your friend here," Hamilton says. "By interfering with the normal inflammatory process—an important part of healing—pain medications may interfere with the cascade of events needed to jump-start tissue regeneration and repair." If you do take pain meds, make sure to follow the bottle's directions. If they say to take two, don't go ahead and take three.
How to get a pulled muscle out of your heart?
The sooner you can get the pulled muscle above your heart, apply compression, and ice it, the better, Hamilton says. All will help reduce inflammation and keep blood from pooling in your muscle—because, yes, torn muscles can bleed. Ice it for 15 minutes every hour or two for at least 24 hours following the pull, and continue elevating the area for an entire week whenever possible, she says. As far as compression goes, Beckstrand recommends wearing a neoprene sleeve, ACE wrap, or compression garment to squeeze excess blood out of the area, support the muscle, and speed recovery. Wait at least a week to wean yourself off of compression gear, advises Hamilton.
How long does it take for a muscle strain to heal?
Depending on the severity of your strain, you may need to take anywhere from a few days to a few months off of exercise so that the muscle can heal itself. When you do head back to the gym, start with gentle bodyweight exercises (no plyometrics), Beckstrand says. Progressively add more sets, reps, and eventually weight. All the while, remember that the muscle should never hurt. If it does, stop the exercise and either try a different variation or back off entirely, he says.
How long after pulling muscle can you roll it?
There's a time and place for that but it's not in the acute phase," she says. If the strain is minor—and most are—you can try gently rolling the muscle a few days after pulling it. If foam rolling hurts, back off and try again in a couple days, she advises. 5. See a doctor.
Does massaging hurt?
Massaging the area will likely hurt, and you may even feel a knot. While it generally hurts less when you're resting the muscle, it may still feel uncomfortable and spasm, Hamilton adds. Usually, the pain comes on all at once. (If you don't have a strain, here are some other reasons you're having muscle spasms .)
Can you change diet after a hamstring injury?
While you're injured, you'll should change some of your diet to aid recovery .) Plus, if you do have a serious strain, you only have a window of a few weeks before your doctor really can't do anything for you, explains Hamilton. She recently had an MRI just in time to have a surgeon reattach her torn hamstring muscle.
Can exercisers treat pulled muscle?
Fun times. Despite the gnarly description, exercisers rarely know how to treat a pulled muscle or do anything to treat their muscle sprains. They just try to tough it out, says Janet Hamilton, C.S.C.S., a clinical exercise physiologist with Running Strong in Atlanta. Bad idea.
What is the best treatment for a torn muscle?
Anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil) or aspirin can help reduce swelling and pain. Physical therapy may also be needed. Surgery is the typical treatment for torn or ruptured muscles. You and your doctor will discuss all surgical or nonsurgical options available to repair your muscle.
What is the most common treatment for muscle strains?
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the most common and effective treatment for muscle strains is the RICE method . The individual letters of RICE stand for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. In particular, RICE involves the following:
How to prevent muscle strains from recurring?
There are several ways you can prevent a muscle strain from recurring, including: allowing for proper time to heal from an injury. stretching your muscles daily. cross-training for sports by weightlifting or choosing another activity to strengthen your muscles. warming up before exercise or intense activity.
Why does my muscle feel like it's stretched?
Poor conditioning, fatigue, and an improper warmup can lead to a muscle strain. When muscle strain occurs, people often report a popping or snapping sensation. This is the feeling of the muscle tissue being stretched until it snaps. This is often a very painful experience.
What is a muscle strain?
A muscle strain, or pulled muscle, occurs when your muscle is overstretched or torn. This can be minor and like soreness after an intense workout, or it can be so severe that it needs surgical repair. Muscle strains are a very common injury. Most people who participate in sports have experienced it at some point in their lives.
How to reduce swelling in a muscle?
Compress your muscle by applying a steady, gentle pressure on it. This prevents swelling and inflammation, which delay healing. Wrapping an elastic bandage around the affected muscle is best. Elevate the injury above your heart to reduce swelling. Use pillows or other devices to raise an affected limb while you rest.
How to heal a strained muscle?
This can help strained muscles and other injuries. Ice your muscle by using cold packs with a barrier between them and your skin four to eight times per day for 20 minutes at a time.
What to do if you have a muscle strain?
See prompt medical care if you suspect a mild or moderate muscle strain. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have symptoms of a severe muscle strain or tear including severe, disabling pain.
How to reduce the risk of pulling a muscle?
You may be able to lower your risk of pulling a muscle by: Avoiding strenuous activities when your muscles are already fatigued or weakened. Cross-training with a variety of activities. Maintaining physical conditioning, flexibility, strength, and a healthy body weight.
What causes one group of muscles to overcompensate for another group?
Muscle imbalance, which causes one group of muscles to overcompensate for another group. Overcompensation is overworking and straining the muscle. Muscle tightness. Muscle fatigue or weakness from overuse or underuse. Poor conditioning.
What causes muscle strains and pulls?
Examples of causes include: Direct blow to the muscle. Excessive contraction of the muscle.
What are the complications of muscle strain?
Other complications include chronic pain, disability, loss of mobility, weakness, and poor quality of life.
What is repetitive strain injury?
They are repetitive strain injuries—the result of prolonged, repetitive overuse of the muscle or muscle group. When you use the same muscles in the same pattern, repeatedly over time, small stresses build on each other. This eventually causes wear and tear on the muscle leading to a strain. Examples of causes include:
Why do muscles and tendons work together?
Muscles and tendons work together to enable movement. It’s common to injure both types of tissue during a strain. A similar injury—a sprain—affects ligaments, which hold bones to other bones at a joint. Some muscles are more susceptible to strains than others. It’s common to have a pulled neck muscle, pulled back muscle, or pulled calf muscle.
What is pulled muscle?
Written by Julia Dellitt. Anyone living an active lifestyle is bound to pull a muscle eventually. A pulled muscle, or muscle strain, occurs when your muscles are overstretched or overloaded in some way. Maybe you added a couple extra miles to your morning jog, ...
How to get back to normal after pulling muscle?
Start slow returning to your routine. After your pulled muscle heals, you’re likely ready to get back at it. However, you’ll need to take workouts very slow initially, because even minor strains can lead to more severe ones later.
Why do orthopedic surgeons recommend stretching?
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends daily stretching in conjunction with exercise to keep your muscles strong and flexible, as muscle fatigue is one of the top causes of injury.
How long does it take for a muscle strain to heal?
Mild tendon or muscle injuries cause instant pain, a little swelling, and soreness that heals within a week or so. This type of first-degree injury hurts, but you can still move to the muscle to some degree.
How to avoid pulling muscles?
Going forward, listening to your body will be key to avoiding pulled muscles whenever possible. Go slow, especially if you’re new to an exercise, and practice good form. Don’t feel guilty about adding rest days to your workout routine, especially when you’re feeling overly tired or worn out.
How long does a second degree strain last?
Second-degree strains involve muscle damage that lasts up to several weeks, and third-degree injuries often result in tendon or ligament issues, where muscle has been pulled off the bone in a full tear—and these often require surgery and months of rehabilitation to repair.
How to get rid of a swollen thigh?
Reduce the intensity of cardio, lower the amount of weight you lift, and consider starting with yoga or body weight work as a whole. Let pain be your guide. If the injured area still twinges, stop and go back to square one (rest!).
How to prevent a pulled muscle?
Movement and Stretching. To prevent a pulled muscle, it is best to warm up and stretch, but it is equally important to avoid allowing pulled muscles to become too stiff after an injury. What to do: Try to move the affected area several times during the day without stressing or straining.
How to treat pulled muscle in back?
Another common ingredient, which is found in most kitchens and is great for pulled muscle relief, is cayenne pepper. To a teaspoon of warm olive oil add ½ tsp of cayenne pepper powder. Rub the oil into the affected area. Repeat this treatment 2 or 3 times a day.
How to get rid of muscle pain from a sprain?
What to do: As a soak: add 2 cups of apple cider vinegar to a bathtub full of hot water. Soak once daily for a few days or until your muscle pain subsides. Additionally, you can drink 1 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar mixed in a glass of warm water daily for a week. Add a little honey if necessary for taste. How it works:
What does it mean when you pull a muscle?
A pulled muscle can also be the result of a repetitive movement or from poor posture.
Can a pulled muscle be painful?
A pulled muscle can be painfully irritating or completely debilitating, depending upon where it’s located. To get the quickest relief, avoid further injury and get back to your regular routine without pain, follow any one or combination of these 15 remedies.
Is it normal to not move a muscle?
It is a normal assumption that if you are not moving your painful limb, it will not be in pain. But this is not true with a pulled muscle! It is very likely that it will indeed hurt when it is not in motion. This is not a good sign at all, and can be a very hard thing to cope with because it is difficult to rest when you cannot find relief, even in resting.
Can you massage a pulled muscle?
You can bring relief to a pulled muscle through massage as well. What to do: A professional massage therapist is a great option, but in lieu of one, you can do it yourself or have a family member give you a massage. Make use of one of the oils mentioned above to lubricate you palms.
