Every individual body has some specified physical capabilities. In case you try to exceed your physical limit and push yourself too hard, you might end up getting injuries. Well, this is what overexertion is. A pulled muscle is an example of the same. You might have developed this condition while indulging in an activity that is out of your body’s physical limit. When suffering from the same, you might wonder how long does a pulled muscle take to heal. In addition, a lot of questions related to a pulled muscle will pop to the top of your mind.
Well, this is what we are here for. In this blog, you will find answers to each and every question that is related to the concept of pulled muscle. In addition, we will also discuss a few more things that are related to this particular concept.
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What do you understand about a pulled muscle?
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A pulled muscle, often referred to as a muscle strain, is a situation that occurs when your muscles either get overstretched or torn due to any specific reasons. You can get muscle strain in almost every part of your body. However, the lower back, spine, hamstring (muscles located behind thighs), neck, and shoulder are some areas where you are more likely prone to getting a pulled muscle. In case you have a minor strain, you can recover by consuming some basic anti-inflammatory medicines along with taking proper rest. However, you might need to see a doctor and seek medical advice in case your muscle is damaged a lot.
How long does a pulled muscle take to heal?
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When talking in general, a muscle strain will heal within a time period of three to four weeks. Hence, you can resume performing normal activities, once you have after properly completing your resting period. However, you should not ignore the fact that your body has not fully recovered. As a result, you still need to rest properly and take proper care of yourself. In addition, following necessary precautionary measures is also essential.
It is not compulsory that all individuals suffering from a pulled muscle will recover in the mentioned time period. Well this is because the recovery time depends on various factors. These include the immunity of the person, how effective the treatment was, the type of care received, and precautions.
Also, in order to understand how long does a pulled muscle take to heal, you will first understand the cause behind the same. In addition, understanding the severity of the injury is equally essential.
Causes of a pulled muscle
Apart from overexertion, there are various causes that can lead to the development of a muscle strain in any part of your body. Some of the reasons are listed below.
- You slipped or fell down on the floor
- High jumping and fast running
- You did not do a proper warm up before indulging in a physical activity
- Not maintaining a proper posture while lifting something heavy
- Staying in an uncomfortable position for long (for example, you slept on one hand for a long)
Symptoms of a muscle strain
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How will you get to know that you are suffering from a pulled muscle? Mentioned below are some symptoms that indicate a muscle strain.
- Excessive pain around a particular body part
- Stiffness, weakness, and soreness
- Bruising and Discoloration
- Weakness
- Muscle spasms
- Difficulty in moving that particular body part
Note: You might experience either some or all of these mentioned symptoms when experiencing a pulled muscle.
How to recover from a pulled muscle at home?
If you have a minor injury and your muscle is not severely damaged, you can easily recover from a pulled muscle by following some basic home remedies. You can consider following the remedies mentioned below.
- Take proper rest. In case of a torn or overstretched muscle, you will have to take complete bed rest for at least three weeks. Doing this will help your pulled muscle heal completely. As a result, you will be soon able to resume doing your day to day activities.
- Apply ice to the swollen area. This remedy should be followed immediately after getting a muscle strain. Applying ice or a cold compress to the damaged muscle area will help you in reducing the swelling. Also, you will have to repeatedly do this for at least seven days or until the swelling is completely gone.
- Prefer consuming some basic anti-inflammatory medicines that will help you with pain relief. However, make sure that you have consumed these medicines before as well and that they are suitable for you. You can also seek consultation from a doctor before consuming any medication.
When should you see a doctor if you have a muscle strain?
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In case you did not experience any severe injury, a pulled muscle will not take much time to heal. However, if the muscle is highly overstretched or is completely torn, you will have to see a doctor immediately. Also mentioned below are some circumstances in which seeking medical advice becomes mandatory.
- When the pain and swelling have not reduced even after fifteen days of getting an injury.
- Apart from bruises, you notice bleeding from the injured body part.
- The injured area is completely numb, and you are not able to move it.
How can you prevent a muscle strain from happening?
Let us suppose that you fell down on the floor, and due to that, you got a pulled muscle. In this case, there was no chance that you could have prevented this damage from happening. However, there are other reasons that lead to the development of a muscle strain. By taking certain precautions, you can eliminate those things from becoming a cause of your muscle strain. Hence, you can consider following the preventive measures mentioned below.
- Practice flexibility
- Keep changing your position frequently (for example, don’t stand for too long or don’t keep sitting in one particular position)
- Consider lifting heavy objects while maintaining proper posture and with proper care.
- Wear proper footwear and maintain a strong grip while walking. Also, walk carefully so that you don’t fall frequently.
- Avoid overexertion
Summary of the article
How long does a pulled muscle take to heal does not have a specific answer. Well, this is because it depends on various factors. Also, every individual has a particular time of recovery. Hence, the healing time will vary from person to person. Also, the reason that led to the development of a muscle strain will also play an important part in deciding the overall healing time. There are certain causes behind getting a pulled muscle. Clearly, some of these causes can easily be avoided. Well, that is only possible by taking all the required precautions. Doing this will help you prevent a muscle strain from happening.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a pulled muscle?
The condition of a pulled muscle can be defined as a situation in which a particular muscle of your body either gets overstretched or torn.
How long does a pulled muscle take to heal?
The healing duration of a muscle strain will vary from person to person. Also, it will directly depend on the amount of damage that is caused to your muscles. However, a pulled muscle generally takes three to four weeks to heal.
Can a pulled muscle be treated at home?
Yes! You can follow some home remedies to treat a muscle strain naturally. However, this is only advised in case of a minor muscle injury.
How can applying ice help with treating a muscle strain?
Ice can help with reducing the swelling present around the damaged muscle. This will further help in reducing pain and will facilitate a speedy recovery.
Should I visit a doctor in case of a muscle strain?
Following some home remedies can help with reducing the muscle pain. However, in case the damage caused to your muscle is severe, waste no more time and immediately see a doctor.
