How do you know if you’ve pulled a muscle?

Symptoms of a pulled muscle include:
  1. Bruising, swelling or redness at the injury site.
  2. Difficulty using the affected muscle.
  3. Muscle weakness.
  4. Sudden pain when using the affected muscle.
  5. Pain when the muscle is at rest.

How do I heal a pulled muscle fast?

For immediate self-care of a muscle strain, try the R.I.C.E. approach — rest, ice, compression, elevation: Rest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort.

Can a pulled muscle go away on its own?

The symptoms of mild to moderate muscle strains usually go away within a few weeks. More severe strains may take months to heal.

Should I stretch a pulled muscle?

Some experts recommend gentle stretching for muscles that are recovering from a strain. Be careful not to over-stretch and re-injure the healing muscle fibers. If stretching is very painful, stop and continue to rest the muscle. You can try again when you aren’t feeling as much pain.

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.

What is the difference between a pulled muscle and a torn muscle?

A muscle strain is an injury that occurs when a muscle or a tendon is overstretched. A muscle tear is when a muscle or a tendon is overstretched and it tears.

Does heat or cold HELP pulled muscles?

Ice wins to shut down swelling, inflammation and pain early on where heat may actually make an injury worse.” If you’re dealing with lingering injuries (older than 6 weeks) then it’s okay to use heat. The increased blood flow relaxes tight muscles and relieves aching joints.

Does a muscle strain hurt all the time?

After straining a muscle, you may experience muscle spasms, weakness, and pain. Sometimes, the area surrounding the muscle will cramp and swell, and you’ll struggle to move a muscle or won’t be able to use it at all. Severe strains, like a partial or complete tear, are very painful.

Does a pulled muscle hurt to touch?

A pulled muscle can sometimes feel tender to the touch. It may also feel like there is a tight “knot” in the muscle. Range of motion is often restricted with a pulled muscle. You may not be able to fully straighten or extend your arm or leg.

What is better for a pulled muscle Tylenol or ibuprofen?

This is a personal preference. Some feel acetaminophen works better for them, whereas others find ibuprofen better relieves a headache. Muscle ache or pulled/strained muscle. Ibuprofen typically works better for this kind of pain relief, due to the anti-inflammatory effects.

Should you massage a pulled muscle?

Massage. Therapeutic massage helps loosen tight muscles and increase blood flow to help heal damaged tissues. Applying pressure to the injured muscle tissue also helps remove excess fluid and cellular waste products. A 2012 study found that massage immediately following an injury may even speed strained muscle healing.

What does a muscle spasm feel like?

Muscle spasms can feel like a stitch in the side or be agonizingly painful. You may see a twitch under your skin and it may feel hard to the touch. Spasms are involuntary. The muscles contract and it takes treatment and time for them to relax.

What do doctors prescribe for a pulled muscle?

If OTC medications are insufficient to relieve pain, a doctor may prescribe stronger anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, or pain-relieving medicines. Massage therapy may also help relax injured muscles and enhance a person’s range of motion.

What is the best painkiller for a pulled muscle?

Give pain medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).

What are the signs to look for if you think someone has a strain or a sprain?

The injured area looks crooked, has lumps and bumps (other than swelling) that you do not see on the uninjured joint. You may notice asymmetry between the affected/injured joint and the normal joint. You cannot move the injured joint. There is numbness in any part of the injured area.

Does a pulled muscle get worse before it gets better?

If your muscle strain is mild or moderate, the pain usually goes away within a couple of weeks. Severe strains can take a couple of months or more to heal. The pain is usually at its worst for the first few hours or days. After that, less intense pain may continue for another week or two until your muscles heal.

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.

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.