Is it better to rest or exercise a pulled muscle?

Should I Rest or Stretch My Pulled Muscle? The most important thing you can do for a pulled muscle is resting it. Even if it's light stretching, continuing to stress a pulled muscle could result in further damage to muscle and a much longer healing time.


How long should I rest if I pulled a muscle?

For mild and moderate muscle strains, you should rest your muscles for about 2 days. If you have a severe muscle strain, you should rest for 10 to 14 days. You may need to use crutches to walk if your muscle strain is in your legs or lower body. Apply ice on the injured area.

Is it good to exercise a pulled muscle?

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. Light stretching can assist with a minor strain, but only if incorporated a few days after the injury occurred.


What should you not do with a pulled muscle?

Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort. But don't avoid all physical activity. Ice. Even if you're seeking medical help, ice the area immediately.

How do you heal a pulled muscle fast?

How to treat a pulled muscle
  1. Rest. Rest the muscle for a few days or until your doctor gives you the okay. ...
  2. Ice. Apply ice to the injury for 20 minutes each hour you're awake. ...
  3. Compression. Wrapping the muscle with an elastic bandage can help bring down swelling. ...
  4. Elevation. ...
  5. Medication. ...
  6. Heat.


Should You Workout Injured or Just Rest?



What are 3 symptoms of a muscle strain?

Symptoms
  • Pain or tenderness.
  • Redness or bruising.
  • Limited motion.
  • Muscle spasms.
  • Swelling.
  • Muscle weakness.


Can a pulled muscle recover in 3 days?

Recovery time can range between a few days to a few weeks. Though many cases of muscle bruising heal on their own, more severe muscle injuries may require medical attention. If your symptoms don't improve within a few days of developing the injury, see your doctor.

Do pulled muscles get worse before better?

If your muscle strain is mild or moderate, the pain usually goes away within a couple of weeks. Severe strains can take a couple of months or more to heal. The pain is usually at its worst for the first few hours or days. After that, less intense pain may continue for another week or two until your muscles heal.


What is the best thing to take for a pulled muscle?

Muscle Strain Treatment Self-Care at Home

Note: Ice or heat should not be applied to bare skin. Always use a protective covering such as a towel between the ice or heat and the skin. Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as naproxen or ibuprofen to reduce pain and improve your ability to move around.

Is heat OK 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.

Do muscles get stronger after being pulled?

When you lift weights or perform other physically strenuous activities, muscle fibers tear slightly. This is what causes sore muscles after an intense workout. When the torn fibers heal, they grow back even stronger and larger than before, which is how bodybuilders develop such a large muscle mass.


Does ibuprofen help heal muscle strains?

No, in most cases anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen or naproxen) don't help healing. In fact, in some cases it may even delay healing.

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

There's no difference between a strained muscled and a pulled muscle. People use the terms interchangeably. The same is true for a strained muscle and a torn muscle. They're the same injury with the same symptoms and treatments.

Is ibuprofen or Advil better for a pulled muscle?

Muscle ache or pulled/strained muscle.

Ibuprofen typically works better for this kind of pain relief, due to the anti-inflammatory effects.


Can a pulled muscle heal in 2 weeks?

For most with grade I muscle strains, healing time takes about 2-4 weeks. You can typically expect a full recovery in about 2 months for those with a grade II strain. If you experience a grade III strain, healing time depends on the type of surgery you receive and could take anywhere from 6 to 9 months or longer.

Can a doctor do anything for a pulled muscle?

It is likely you'll be prescribed an anti-inflammatory medication as well as a pain reliever to help minimize pain and swelling. You may also be prescribed physical therapy to help the muscle gain back strength and movement. Your provider should monitor the injury until you are back to normal.

Is ice or heat better for a pulled muscle?

Ice wins to shut down swelling, inflammation and pain early on where heat may actually make an injury worse.” If you're dealing with lingering injuries (older than 6 weeks) then it's okay to use heat. The increased blood flow relaxes tight muscles and relieves aching joints.


Can a pulled muscle become worse?

Playing through your injury or returning to work after an accident without seeking medical attention ultimately worsens it. Your muscles don't heal correctly and the rest of your body has to compensate for the weakened area. This aspect can result in additional strain, overuse injuries or fractures.

Should you massage a pulled muscle?

Therapeutic massage helps loosen tight muscles and increase blood flow to help heal damaged tissues. Applying pressure to the injured muscle tissue also helps remove excess fluid and cellular waste products. A 2012 study found that massage immediately following an injury may even speed strained muscle healing.

What foods help repair muscle damage?

The 10 Best Muscle Recovery Foods and Drinks
  • Tart cherry juice. Drinking tart cherry juice may benefit both trained athletes and novice gym-goers alike. ...
  • Watermelon and watermelon juice. Watermelon is sweet, hydrating, and loaded with nutrients. ...
  • Fatty fish. ...
  • Pomegranate juice. ...
  • Beet juice. ...
  • Whey protein shakes. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Dairy.


When should I be worried about a pulled muscle?

Persistent muscle pain that does not improve with self-care or over-the-counter pain medication. Redness and swelling around a sore muscle (a sign of infection) Systemic muscle pain (pain throughout the body), which may indicate an infection or underlying illness.

Which painkiller is best for muscle strain?

“Naproxen [Aleve] and ibuprofen are better for inflammation and muscle strains. A bonus of Naproxen is you can take it twice a day versus every 4 to 6 hours like with acetaminophen. This can be more convenient for many people.”

How often should I take ibuprofen for a pulled muscle?

Ibuprofen. You can only take 1 ibuprofen (400mg) 3 times a day, and no more than this amount in 24 hours. Take them regularly with or just after food for the next 3 to 4 days only and not just when you're sore.


What can I take instead of ibuprofen for muscle pain?

What Are Alternatives To Ibuprofen?
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) – should be taken at 500 mg, 1–2 tablets, every six hours as needed for pain. ...
  • Arnica – a homeopathic medication that can be taken orally or topically. ...
  • Bromelain – a pineapple extract and a natural anti-inflammatory.


How do you tell if a muscle is pulled or just tight?

The difference between soreness and a pulled muscle

With a pulled muscle, however, the pain is usually immediate. “The pain from a pulled muscle is intense, sharp, and localized to where the injury occurred and can also be associated with swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the joints nearby,” said Gregory.