How To Heal Pulled Muscle

Everyone from a long-distance runner to an avid golfer has wondered how to heal a pulled muscle at sometime in his life. Muscle strain can occur during exercise or due to strenuous activity. Symptoms can include swelling, bruising, redness and pain when the pulled muscle is at rest or in use. There are simple things you can do to treat a pulled muscle.

To heal a pulled muscle, you will need:

• Icepack
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Ace bandage

1. Initially, apply cold packs and keep the muscle stretched. So not apply heat early on because it will increase swelling. Do not apply cold directly to your bare skin. Be sure to use a protective layer, such as a towel, between your skin and the icepack. Heat can be applied once the swelling has decreased.
2. Take an anti-inflammatory medication such as aspirin or ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling. If the pain is too much to bear, if the injury "pops," or if you experience excessive swelling or fever, you should immediately see a doctor.
3. Wrap the injury in an elastic bandage (Ace) in order to compress the pulled muscle. This will help reduce swelling and provide support. Do not wrap too tightly. The injury should also be rested and elevated until the pain and subsides.
4. Follow the PRICE Formula: Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.

Tips:

• The strained muscle should be PROTECTED from further injury.
• The strained muscle should be RESTED so that it is able to heal.
• The strained muscle should be ICED to reduce pain and swelling.
• The strained muscle should be COMPRESSED to reduce swelling and provide support.
• The strained muscle should be ELEVATED to reduce swelling.