This can result in fluid accumulating in your joint and lead to symptoms like pain, swelling and decreased range of motion. As this occurs, the injury you haven't treated does not stagnate. Rather, the tears your muscle fibers experienced can worsen – resulting in a rupture or complete tear.
Without proper treatment, you end up with more scar tissues than healthy muscle. As a result, the muscle can't regain its normal strength, elasticity, or flexibility. Once this permanent damage occurs, you can easily reinjure the muscle.
If you heard or felt a “pop” when your muscle tore, if you can't move your muscle at all, or if pain, bruising and swelling are severe, see a provider right away. Isn't improving. If symptoms persist or get worse after a few days, your injury might not be as minor as you thought.
Most muscle strains do not require surgery and will heal on their own with appropriate time. The following treatments are typically used: Avoiding activities that cause pain and may further injury the muscle. Physical therapy to regain strength and function.
If you think you've pulled a muscle, stop moving the affected area or you might make the problem worse. Rest the muscle until the pain improves. When you start to feel better, you can try some light stretches and easy activities.
Prescribing medications or giving injections for pain that won't quit. Providing home-care guidance, including specific stretches or strengthening exercises. Referring you to physical therapy for additional assistance during your recovery. Giving you self-care recommendations to lower your risk of re-injury.
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.
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.
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.
Key Differences Between Torn and Pulled Muscles
In contrast, strained muscles typically represent mild to moderate overstretching without complete tearing. Symptoms: Torn muscles often present with sudden, intense pain, swelling, and bruising, and may include a 'popping' sensation at the site of injury.
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.
Their study found that, as we age, the lines of communication to the stem cells of our muscles deteriorate and, without the full instructions, it takes longer for injured muscles to heal. Even then, the repairs aren't as good.
The way to distinguish between the two is that with a muscle strain, the pain is felt in the muscle itself, whereas in tendonitis, the pain is felt near where the muscle attaches to the bone.
Pulled Muscle Symptoms
A twinge of pain deep in the muscle: Tears in the muscle can feel like a sharp pain, located deep within the muscle. Limited range of motion: Depending on the severity and amount of muscle fiber tears, you may lose some muscle function, as well as your range of motion.
Waiting too long can create scar tissue, reducing flexibility and strength. Don't immediately return to Understanding what your body needs most, regardless of severity, is the most important aspect of stretching and healing an injured muscle.
It's essential to give your body enough time spent not training to replenish your energy (glycogen) stores and allow your damaged muscles to recover. Otherwise, your performance will be compromised and you may experience chronic muscle soreness and pain.
Your doctor may suggest that you immobilize the area with a brace or splint. For some injuries, such as a torn tendon, surgery may be considered.
Try some of these home remedies for muscle strain to help speed up the healing process: Apply heat packs for 10-15 minutes for two days following an injury, then apply it less often. Avoid using any weight on the affected limb and avoid walking more than necessary until healed.
While heat may be beneficial in the long term to heal the pulled muscle itself, ice may initially be the best treatment for the injury to reduce inflammation and the pain it causes. If you're sore or achy, start by applying localized heat to the area that's bothering you.
In the acute stage of muscle rupture, the severed muscle may still bleed. Massage will increase bleeding and tissue damage and slow healing. After the first 48–72 hours, massage can be performed, depending on the extent of the muscle injury.
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.
With muscle soreness, you won't feel it until a day to two later. With a pulled muscle, however, the pain is usually immediate.
Visceral pain might be your body telling you that you have an injury, infection or condition that's affecting one of your visceral organs — your heart, lungs, bladder or reproductive system and digestive system organs. The pain usually feels dull, deep down and spread out.