Pulled muscles are painful and can keep you out of action for a long period of time. Here are answers to some common questions about how to heal a pulled muscle. Pulled muscles are caused by the stretching or tearing of muscle fibers. They can happen to any muscle in the body but most commonly affect the lower back, neck, shoulder, and hamstring.
Rest
If you have a pulled muscle, the first step to recovery is to reduce physical activity. Avoid heavy lifting, and make sure you take frequent walks and warm baths. In addition, you should rest for at least two days to prevent stiffness and weakness. However, if your pulled muscle still causes pain even after the recommended time frame, consult a physician.
While the pain and discomfort associated with a pulled muscle will usually disappear after two to three days, you must still avoid over-exertion as it can lead to an increased risk of further strains and tears. When resting, make sure to keep your muscles iced and elevated to reduce swelling and throbbing. You should also consider stretching.
Once your muscle is warm, apply acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce pain. Heat is also beneficial for circulation. Avoid resting the muscle for too long, as it can lead to weakness and stiffness. If possible, gradually increase activity. Avoid straining the muscle by doing light stretching before exercising and by warming up before intense activity.
If rest isn’t an option, consider using a muscle recovery app. These apps can help you determine the optimal length of time for a muscle to heal. The apps help you monitor your muscle’s recovery by performing functional tests and letting you know when it’s ready for you to continue your sport.
Compression
Compression helps heal a pulled muscle in many ways. First, it decreases swelling, which is the body’s natural response to a trauma. This reduces pain and sensitivity and shortens the recovery process. Compression also helps improve circulation to the injured area. By increasing blood flow, compression aids in the repair of damaged tissue and helps remove waste products.
Ice is also helpful as it reduces inflammation and pain. Small ice packs can be applied to the injured area for up to 15 minutes. You can also apply ice to the area with a slush bath. The ice pack must be applied gently to minimize swelling and avoid obstructing circulation. Another important part of compression therapy is elevation, which will reduce swelling and bruising. This method is best used for two or three hours daily.
Compression also speeds up the recovery process by improving blood flow to working muscles. This reduces lactic acid build-up and helps muscles recover faster. By providing adequate oxygen and nutrients to the injured muscle, compression helps rebuild muscles and muscle fibers. It also helps keep the muscles warm, which prevents the muscle from becoming stiff.
Elevation
When it comes to preventing further damage to a pulled muscle, elevating the injured area is a vital step to take. Not only will this reduce the swelling and throbbing, but it will also help speed up healing. In addition, elevating the affected area will promote lymphatic drainage and venous blood return.
While many people are unaware of the benefits of elevation, it is important to understand what it is. Swelling is an increased movement of fluid and white blood cells, which is a natural reaction to injury. It also tells the body that it needs to rest the affected area. It is a normal process and is an important part of the body’s inflammatory response.
PEACE
There are many ways to treat a pulled muscle. The acronym PEACE stands for Physical Activity and Exercise Recovery Guidelines. In the initial care phase of the injury, you should treat your muscle with rest and ice. After the injury has healed, you should focus on managing the pain and psychosocial factors. When it comes to rehabilitation, it can be difficult to decide what to do next.
Rest, ice, compression and elevation are common treatment methods. Using one or a combination of these methods can help you recover quickly. The goal is to reduce pain and swelling without irritating the injured area. If you have been exercising, consider elevating the injured limb to reduce swelling.
Getting a massage
Getting a massage to heal a strained or pulled muscle can help speed up the recovery process. These injuries can happen anytime, and they can be very painful. In most cases, they will heal on their own, but massage can help speed up the recovery process. Some common symptoms of a pulled muscle include throbbing pain, swelling, and weakness.
Massages can help to increase blood flow, which helps the muscle heal. They also help to promote the release of hormones that reduce pain. Studies have shown that massage therapy is more effective than over-the-counter pain medications. Massage promotes the release of pain-relieving hormones, which makes it ideal for healing pulled muscles.
Massage is effective for both mild and moderate strains. It also helps reduce muscle spasm and inflammation. It also helps the patient relax and reduce stress. A massage session should last around 30 minutes and go as deep as the patient’s body can tolerate. You can even opt for trigger point therapy, which targets damaged muscle fibers.
Massage encourages muscles to relax and elongate, providing increased range of movement. Muscles work in pairs across joints, one paired with the opposite, called an antagonistic pair. When one muscle is tense, it pulls the other across the joint. This tension limits the range of movement at the joint. Massage encourages the opposing muscle to elongate and relax, which in turn reduces pain and swelling.
Taking anti-inflammatory medication
The use of anti-inflammatory medication for the treatment of a pulled muscle is common in athletes. But it is important to know when to take it and when not to. Anti-inflammatory drugs can delay or impede the healing process, and many can have negative side effects.
Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) are used to reduce inflammation and pain caused by a pulled muscle. The inflammation process is necessary for the body to heal itself, but it can also interfere with movement in the injured area. Using a physiotherapist can help you avoid the use of anti-inflammatory medications and help you return to an active and healthy lifestyle.
NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) reduce inflammation by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase, which helps create prostaglandins. Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, inhibits the COX pathway and is useful in alleviating mild to moderate pain. There are also some natural remedies for treating a pulled muscle that contain anti-inflammatory properties.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are popular medications for pain relief. They can be purchased over-the-counter or prescribed by a medical professional. It is important to consult with a primary care physician or sports medicine specialist before taking any anti-inflammatory medication.