A Comprehensive Guide on Healing a Pulled Muscle

Pulled muscles, known as muscle strains in medical terms, are common injuries that happen when one or more of your fibers fail to handle the pressure exerted on them. This often leads to discomfort, pain, and stinging bruising. The pain can be so biting that you may mistake the condition for a broken bone. So, how do you stop this unbearable pain and restore your muscle’s health?

The first instinct after injuring your muscle should be to crush the injury site with ice. The cold temperature will reduce the blood flow to the affected area, easing the swelling and numbing the excruciating pain. Ice your muscle for 15 minutes every hour, but avoid applying the ice directly to your skin to prevent frostbite.

Rest is also crucial for the healing process, especially within the first 24 hours following the injury. By remaining inactive, you prevent further damage and give your muscle a chance to heal.

Compressing the injured area with an elastic bandage will limit swelling and provide support to the hurting muscle. Make sure that you don’t wrap it too tight to let the blood circulate normally. Any signs of numbness, increased pain, coolness, or swelling in the area below the bandage should urge you to loosen it.

Elevation is another remedy. Keeping the injured muscle above the level of your heart can reduce swelling and pain by enhancing venous return. You can achieve this with a pillow or by simply reclining in a comfortable chair.

However, the pain may persist for some time, especially if the muscle injury was severe. In this case, you should consider engaging in simple physical therapy exercises after the first 24 hours when resting the muscle is vital. Start with gentle stretching exercises, gradually increasing the range of motion as the muscle heals. It’s important to listen to your body and only engage in activities that don’t escalate the pain.

If pain persists, over-the-counter pain relievers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen can help. They alleviate the pain and reduce inflammation, aiding the healing process. Prescribed corticosteroids could also work effectively depending on the severity of the injury.

Most effective arthritis pain relief cream could also be useful in relieving pulled muscle pain. Though these creams are typically for arthritis pain, they have ingredients like capsaicin, salicylates, and counterirritants that numb the pain quickly and stimulate blood flow for faster healing.

Remember, the best remedy for a pulled muscle is prevention. Avoiding activities that put undue pressure on your muscles, warming up before physical activities, and maintaining regular physical exercises will ensure your muscles are in shape and less susceptible to strains. But in case you end up with a pulled muscle, the strategies above should help you heal faster.

However, if the pulled muscle doesn’t show signs of improvement after a few weeks, it’s advisable to seek medical help. Healthcare professionals could recommend more invasive treatments such as surgery if the muscle strain is severe. In the end, your health is paramount, and you should do all that’s necessary to ensure quick and full recovery.