How To Treat Pulled Muscles

Want to learn how to treat pulled muscles? A pulled muscle, also called a muscle strain, occurs when a muscle overstretches and tears. Muscles are made up of fibers that stretch and contract; if you exercise a muscle without proper warm-ups and stretches, you can overextend the muscle, causing a pulled muscle. You may feel a burning or popping sensation when a muscle pulls. Thankfully, most pulled muscles can be treated at home with basic first aid.

To treat pulled muscles, you will need:

• Ice or ice pack
• Crutches or sling

1. Rest the pulled muscle. If the pulled muscle is in your leg, walk with crutches until it is healed. If the pulled muscle is in your arm, wear a sling to avoid moving the muscle.
2. Apply ice to the pulled muscle. Ice reduces swelling and helps the pulled muscle heal. But don't apply ice for more than ten to fifteen minutes at a time, every one to four hours, or the cold could harm your pulled muscle.
3. Take anti-inflammatory pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, to reduce pain and swelling in the pulled muscle.
4. Elevate the pulled muscle above the level of your heart.
5. Avoid the activity that caused the pulled muscle until the muscle is fully healed. Pulling the muscle again can cause further damage.

Tips: If the pulled muscle is bleeding or you cannot move it, talk to a doctor. You can avoid pulled muscles by warming up for 10 to 15 minutes before exercise or other strenuous activity.