Is it better to relax or strech a “strained” muscle?

Asked by: Monique Brown

Is it OK to stretch a strained muscle?

Don’t stretch!

While it may seem counterintuitive, stretching a strained muscle only makes it worse. Your best bet involves avoiding any movement that agitates the affected area and continue to rest until the pain subsides.

What is the fastest way to heal a strained muscle?

Treatment

1. Rest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort. …
2. Ice. Even if you’re seeking medical help, ice the area immediately. …
3. Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the area with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops. …
4. Elevation.

How long does it take for a strained muscle to heal?

For a mild strain, you may be able to return to normal activities within three to six weeks with basic home care. For more severe strains, recovery can take several months. In severe cases, surgical repair and physical therapy may be necessary. With proper treatment, most people recover completely.

Should I massage a strained muscle?

As is the case for muscle and tendon strains, deep tissue massage to the injury itself is contraindicated in the acute stage of any sprain. However, massage for your injury in the surrounding musculature can aid in reducing inflammation and speed up the recovery process.

How do you tell if you’ve pulled a muscle?

Symptoms of a pulled muscle include:

1. Bruising, swelling or redness at the injury site.
2. Difficulty using the affected muscle.
3. Muscle weakness.
4. Sudden pain when using the affected muscle.
5. Pain when the muscle is at rest.

How do you tell if you’ve torn a muscle?

Symptoms of Torn Muscles

Expect pain and soreness, as well as spasms and swelling in the affected area. Depending on the severity of the strain, you may find it difficult to move the area, if at all. You may note swelling as well as bruising and discoloration accompanied by a “knotted up” feeling or stiffness.

Is heat good for a pulled muscle?

A pulled muscle should first be treated using the R.I.C.E. method. During the first 72 hours, heat should be avoided to prevent increased swelling and inflammation. After about 72 hours, heat can be incorporated into treatment to increase blood flow and aid the overall healing process.

Can a muscle tear heal on its own?

Most muscle strains do not require surgery, and a full recovery is expected. If there is a partial tear then the athlete can return when they are pain free and have normal strength and motion. This usually occurs following anywhere from a few weeks to a few months of appropriate treatment and therapy.

What’s the difference between a strain and a sprain?

The difference between a sprain and a strain is that a sprain injures the bands of tissue that connect two bones together, while a strain involves an injury to a muscle or to the band of tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone.

How do you treat a mild strain?

Muscle Strain Treatment Self-Care at Home

1. Protect the strained muscle from further injury.
2. Rest the strained muscle. …
3. Ice the muscle area (20 minutes every hour while awake). …
4. Compression can be gently applied with an Ace or other elastic bandage, which can both provide support and decrease swelling.

What is the difference between a pulled muscle and a strained muscle?

Although a muscle strain is different from a muscle tear, many people get these injuries confused. A strain is an injury that involves a muscle or tendon being overstretched. Your doctor may also call the injury a pulled tendon or muscle pull. (A tendon is the cord of tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone.)

What is the proper treatment for strains and sprains?

Rest: Rest the injured part until it’s less painful. Ice: Wrap an icepack or cold compress in a towel and place over the injured part immediately. Continue for no more than 20 minutes at a time, four to eight times a day. Compression: Support the injured part with an elastic compression bandage for at least 2 days.

Does ibuprofen help heal sprains?

Avoid Ibuprofen When Healing From a Sprain

Some recent studies have suggested that NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) might stop the body’s natural response, which is to increase the flow of blood to the area to promote healing.

Which ointment do you use in case of sprains?

It recommends using a topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with or without menthol (which creates a cooling sensation). Topical NSAIDs come in gel, liquid, or patch forms; diclofenac gel (Voltaren Arthritis Pain) and aspirin cream are available without a prescription.