With a pulled muscle, however, the pain is usually immediate. “The pain from a pulled muscle is intense, sharp, and localized to where the injury occurred and can also be associated with swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the joints nearby,” said Gregory.
A torn muscle, which occurs when muscle fibers are ripped or severed due to excessive force or overstretching, is distinct from a pulled muscle, where fibers are merely stretched while remaining intact.
The symptoms of sprains and strains are similar. They include pain or discomfort in or around a muscle, tendon, or ligament. There can also be swelling, bruising, and weakness in the injured area, in addition to a limited range of motion or an inability to put weight on the area.
Get medical care right away or go to the emergency room if you have muscle pain with: Trouble breathing or dizziness. Extreme muscle weakness with problems doing routine daily activities. A high fever and stiff neck.
Muscular pain often feels localized, tender to the touch, and worsens with movement or specific activities. It may also be accompanied by muscle spasms or visible signs of inflammation. Internal pain , on the other hand, may feel deeper, more widespread, and unrelated to movement.
Answer: Rest the strained muscle and apply ice for the first few days after the injury. Anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen (Tylenol) also help reduce pain and swelling. As the pain decreases, you can use heat on the muscle.
Telling the difference can be difficult if you don't know what to look out for. With muscle soreness, you won't feel it until a day to two later. With a pulled muscle, however, the pain is usually immediate.
It's important to note that you should never massage a strained muscle that hasn't been given 72 hours to rest. Massaging a freshly-strained muscle can actually increase inflammation and even cause further injury, so be sure to wait at least three days before attempting any massage therapy.
A back specialist can typically diagnose a mild strain or sprain by reviewing your symptoms and learning how your injury occurred. Depending on the severity of the pulled back muscle, they may recommend additional treatments, such as: Prescription medications for pain or inflammation. Muscle relaxant drugs.
Gentle stretching to the area can be beneficial, but the key is to keep it gentle. Avoid any prolonged sitting, bending, heavy lifting, twisting, or driving - all of which can make the pain worse. Giving the area of pain a rest, at least for the next 24 hours, will most likely be beneficial.
Do pulled muscles hurt to touch? Pulled muscles involve the tearing of muscle fibers, and while this pain is felt deep within the muscle, it can also hurt to touch. Pulled muscles can cause the site to inflame and swell, as well as feel tender.
However, you should consider visiting an urgent care center if you experience any of the following symptoms after a muscle strain: Persistent pain or pain that radiates down the legs or arms. Joint pops or cracks when the injury occurred or if you move the affected area post-injury.
Heat And Cold Packs
Alternating ice and heat therapy can be an effective way to ease muscle and joint pain. This method can help increase blood flow to muscles, loosen stiff joints and distract the brain from pain.
After an acute injury, ice should be used to minimize swelling for the first two to three days. After this period, heat can be used to increase blood flow and assist the natural healing process. Applying heat too early may cause additional swelling by increasing blood flow to the injury.
Compression and rest can be helpful in a newly strained muscle depending on the severity of the injury. Don't push your stretch “just a little bit farther” than comfortable. This can delay the healing process. Don't wait too long to begin stretching.
Massage can assist the healing of damaged fibers by increasing blood circulation. Increased blood circulation provides an increase of oxygen and nutrients to an area. An increase of oxygen and nutrients can help repair fibers, decreasing inflammation and pain. Massage can help reduce muscle tightness caused by DOMS.
you have pain, tenderness or weakness – usually around your ankle, foot, wrist, thumb, knee, leg or back. the injured area is swollen or bruised. you cannot put weight on the injury or use it normally. you have muscle spasms or cramping – where your muscles painfully tighten on their own.
Muscle pain that does not go away after several days or is accompanied by symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, and extreme weakness requires medical assistance.
Even with mild strains, it's important not to overdo it. Swimming, walking, and stretching are good activities to begin with, increasing intensity gradually. Moderate to severe strains require a longer recovery period.
To manage the pain, start by taking anti-inflammatory medications like Ibuprofen (which is the same thing as Motrin or Advil) or Naproxen (same thing as Aleve). These drugs reduce the inflammation around the torn muscle.
Stretching, using a warm compress, and making sure to stay hydrated can all help alleviate even the most painful muscle cramps. No matter the muscle you stretch, it's important to never over-extend muscles through stretching. This can cause increased injury and can even lead to muscle sprains and strains.