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Pulled muscles, also known as muscle strains are an injury involving the tissue that connects your muscle to your bone. Pulled muscles occur most in the lower back, in the hamstrings on your leg, shoulders, and neck. Most strains can be treated at home, but some need medical attention.
Symptoms and Causes
Sports participation is the main cause of pulled muscles. There are two types of strains: acute strains, and chronic muscle strains. Acute strains are caused by one event, whereas chronic strains are caused by repetitive stress on your muscle. There are certain parts of the body that are more susceptible to pulled muscles as well. These include the legs and ankles, hands, and elbows. Be sure to find the proper technique when lifting weights and/or working out. This can make a huge difference between pain and gain. Below are some symptoms you may notice if you have pulled a muscle:
-Pain or tenderness
-Redness or bruising
-Lack of motion
-Muscle spasms
-Swelling
-Muscle weakness
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RICE Method
The first steps to treating a pulled muscle are referred to as the RICE method. This method uses rest, ice, compression, and elevation as treatment at home. Some doctors advise patients to avoid over-the-counter medicines for a pulled muscle such as aspirin or ibuprofen because they can increase your risk of bleeding. However, if you a good amount of inflammation and pain, it is definitely worth taking a few doses.
Pain Relief and Recovery
Sometimes strains may also be treated with a brace or a splint to keep the area from moving. Heating the strained area is also a good method of pain relief, but heat should never be placed directly on the skin. An example of a professional administered method of pain relief is a tendon steroid injection. This injection is composed of a corticosteroid and a numbing agent that work together to lessen your discomfort in a strained muscle. The following listed below are parts of the body in which the injection can be made in the:
-Shoulder
-Elbow
-Knee
-Ankle
-Foot
Discomfort
Pulled muscles are never comfortable to deal with, but they can happen in a variety of activities at any time. However, it’s not impossible to prevent pulling a muscle. If you are involved in school sports or attend a gym, for example, you should always make sure you’re using the proper equipment and safety gear required for the sport or gym. If you are doing deadlifts, for instance, be sure to position yourself correctly so your legs take most of the weight. Also, be sure to use weight belt to stabilize your back when doing really large lifts. It simply is not worth becoming injured, so be sure to not be causing yourself discomfort by lifting wrong.
Stretching and Warm-Up
Heavy lifting is also a part of many jobs and can be a big cause of pulled muscles, so it is also important you are aware of proper lifting techniques. Stretching before making big lifts can also be a prevention method. However, just because we use these prevention methods, it doesn’t make it impossible to pull a muscle. Be sure that you are warm enough before you do heavy lifting. You need to have proper blood flow to all your main muscles, and they have to be stretched and warm before you can safely to heavy lifting. Following these tips for recovery and treatment of a pulled muscle may help ease your discomfort and pain. Use ice and anti-inflammatories when needed, and be sure to be gentle with yourself as you heal.
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