Difference between revisions of "Treat a Pulled Muscle"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Getting Immediate Relief=== | ===Getting Immediate Relief=== | ||
| − | #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.<ref>http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/muscle-strain</ref> | + | #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.<ref name="rf16244">http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/muscle-strain</ref> |
#*Let the amount of pain you feel be your guide. If a pulled muscle occurs while you're running or playing a sport, and you have to stop and catch your breath due to the severe pain, the best thing to do is sit the rest of the game out. | #*Let the amount of pain you feel be your guide. If a pulled muscle occurs while you're running or playing a sport, and you have to stop and catch your breath due to the severe pain, the best thing to do is sit the rest of the game out. | ||
#*Take a few days to recover from the pulled muscle before resuming the activity that caused it. | #*Take a few days to recover from the pulled muscle before resuming the activity that caused it. | ||
| − | #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 several times a day until the swelling has gone down.<ref | + | #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 several times a day until the swelling has gone down.<ref name="rf16244" /> |
#*A bag of frozen peas or another vegetable also works well as an ice pack. | #*A bag of frozen peas or another vegetable also works well as an ice pack. | ||
#*Avoid using heat, which won't reduce inflammation caused by a pulled muscle. | #*Avoid using heat, which won't reduce inflammation caused by a pulled muscle. | ||
#Compress the area. Wrapping the site of the pulled muscle can reduce inflammation and provide support to prevent further injury. [[Ace Wrap a Leg | Use an ace bandage]] to loosely wrap your arm or leg. | #Compress the area. Wrapping the site of the pulled muscle can reduce inflammation and provide support to prevent further injury. [[Ace Wrap a Leg | Use an ace bandage]] to loosely wrap your arm or leg. | ||
| − | #*Don't wrap the area too tightly, or you might inhibit circulation.<ref | + | #*Don't wrap the area too tightly, or you might inhibit circulation.<ref name="rf16244" /> |
#*If you don't have an ace bandage, cut an old pillowcase into one long strip and use it to compress the area. | #*If you don't have an ace bandage, cut an old pillowcase into one long strip and use it to compress the area. | ||
#Elevate the muscle. Raising the inflamed area can help the swelling go down and provide it with the proper rest it needs to heal. | #Elevate the muscle. Raising the inflamed area can help the swelling go down and provide it with the proper rest it needs to heal. | ||
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#*If your doctor determines your injury needs extra care, you may be given a pair of crutches or a sling so that the pulled muscle can rest. Prescription-strength painkillers may also be administered. | #*If your doctor determines your injury needs extra care, you may be given a pair of crutches or a sling so that the pulled muscle can rest. Prescription-strength painkillers may also be administered. | ||
#*In rare cases, a pulled muscle requires physical therapy or surgical care. | #*In rare cases, a pulled muscle requires physical therapy or surgical care. | ||
| − | #See a doctor if you have other related symptoms. Sometimes muscle pain is related to something besides overexertion.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/muscle-pain/MY00113/DSECTION=when-to-see-a-doctor</ref> 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: | + | #See a doctor if you have other related symptoms. Sometimes muscle pain is related to something besides overexertion.<ref name="rf16245">http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/muscle-pain/MY00113/DSECTION=when-to-see-a-doctor</ref> 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: |
#*Signs of infection, like itchiness and red, raised skin. | #*Signs of infection, like itchiness and red, raised skin. | ||
#*Bite marks in the area of soreness. | #*Bite marks in the area of soreness. | ||
#*Poor circulation or numbness in the area where the muscle pain is felt. | #*Poor circulation or numbness in the area where the muscle pain is felt. | ||
| − | #''Seek immediate attention if your symptoms are severe''.<ref | + | #''Seek immediate attention if your symptoms are severe''.<ref name="rf16245" /> If your muscle soreness is accompanied by any of these severe symptoms, go to the emergency room or immediate care center to find out what's going on: |
#*Your muscles feel extremely weak. | #*Your muscles feel extremely weak. | ||
#*You have shortness of breath or dizziness. | #*You have shortness of breath or dizziness. | ||
