There are treatments for strained muscles, and patience is the key to healing.
A muscle strain, also called a pulled muscle, pops up if a muscle is stretched too far.
Microscopic tears can occur within the muscle fibers.
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Common muscle strains includepulled hamstrings,groin strains,pulled abdominal muscles, andcalf strains.
Here are some guidelines to help get you moving in the right direction.
Rest
Rest is recommended for the early recovery phase.
This should last from one to five days, depending on the severity of the injury.
Immobilization is not usually necessary, and lack of movement can lead to muscle and joint stiffness.
This can be harmful and interfere with movement.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce swelling and alleviate painful symptoms.
These medications have potential side effects, including bleeding.
So you should check with your healthcare provider prior to starting anti-inflammatory medications.
Gentle Stretching
Stretching and strengthening are useful once the muscle has healed.
Stretching is also important for the prevention of muscle strain injuries.
Muscles that are more flexible are less likely to be injured.
Strengthening
After injuring the muscle, it is important to regain strength before returning to athletic activities.
Both the injury itself and the rest period following the injury can reduce the strength of the muscle.
And stronger muscles are less likely to sustain a re-injury.
Jumping into a sport with stiff muscles can lead to a higher chance of straining the muscle.
Hospital for Special Surgery,Muscle Strain: What it’s crucial that you Know About Pulled Muscles.
Kary JM.Diagnosis and management of quadriceps strains and contusions.Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med.
