Muscle strains can arise just about anywhere in the body, and their severity ranges from dull aching to inability to move the muscle. Sometimes referred to as a pulled muscle, a muscle strain typically occurs through an acute injury, such as an auto accident, or a chronic injury, due to repetitive use.
The body has significant healing powers that safely encourage recovery, and chiropractic services enable these healing properties. Your local chiropractor is uniquely qualified to find and treat muscle strains using non-invasive, natural solutions. Read all about it with Whitefish Chiropractic.
In this article, we discuss:
- What a muscle strain is
- Why you get muscles strains
- Home remedies for muscle pain
- Muscle strain treatment at home
- How to avoid muscles strains
- How to speed up muscle strain recovery
- Muscle tear treatment
- Chiropractic solutions for muscle strains
- And more
If you think you have a muscle strain, there are natural ways to help the injury heal so you can get back to moving pain-free. Read on to learn all about it.
What is a Muscle Strain?
A muscle strain can happen to the muscle itself or to a tendon, which attaches muscle to bone. When either of these soft tissues becomes overstretched, the condition is called a strain. Injuries come in forms starting at a slight pull of the tissue to a partial or complete tear, creating varied symptoms.
Common symptoms of a muscle strain include:
- Pain ranging from consistent dull aches to intense pain
- Pain that worsens when the affected muscle is contracted
- Tenderness
- Discoloration: redness or bruising
- Loss of range of motion
- Muscle spasms and weakness
- Swelling
The affected muscle becomes impaired because of excess pressures placed upon it, and that can happen for several reasons.
Causes for muscle strain include:
- Overuse due to occupation, sport, or exercise
- A traumatic event, such as a slip and fall or sports injury
- Improper movement and lifting habits
- Poor posture
The good news is that if you find yourself suffering from these symptoms due to a muscle strain, you can find quick, natural relief at home.
Home Remedies for Muscle Pain
If you've pulled a muscle, start to safely heal the injury as soon as possible. Try these tips:
Rest the injury
Discontinue any activities that are causing your pain to increase. Resting is essential to recovery, allowing your body to recoup and recharge, so take a bit of downtime. Pushing through pain can cause further damage; listening to your body is always important.
Reduce inflammation with ice, compression, and elevation
Ice is an excellent natural healer. Applying an ice pack to the injured area will slow down circulation, which increases inflammation and swelling. Ice also has numbing qualities that can reduce your discomfort.
Wrapping the injury in a bandage to compress the muscle will also help decrease circulation and remove pressure from the affected soft tissues. Be sure not to wrap too tightly, as this can cause inflammation above or below the injury, leading to more issues.
When possible, elevate the area to further support the anti-inflammatory process. To properly elevate, the injury must be above the heart.
With reduced inflammation, correct movement patterns, flexibility, and comfort can be restored as the healing process is nurtured.
Add heat
Once the swelling has been managed (give it at least two days), adding heat to the treatment can help soothe and relax injured muscles and other tissues. Heat will also encourage circulation, which is necessary for healing. Good circulation brings healthy blood, oxygen, and nutrients to areas in need.
While there's no way to avoid a strain altogether, there are ways to help keep your body safe, protected, and strong, making injuries less likely.
How to help avoid muscle strains:
- Warm up before physical activity and cool down afterward
- Stretch daily
- Exercise daily using strength and balancing techniques
- Stay hydrated and eat a healthy diet
- Wear the proper shoes and shoes that are in good condition
- Get plenty of sleep
Visit Whitefish Chiropractic for Muscle Strain Treatment
Our chiropractic clinics offer numerous services to help relieve muscle strain discomfort so you can get back to your active lifestyle responsibly.
Common chiropractic treatments for a pulled muscle include:
- Spinal manipulation
- Active Release Technique (ART)
- Dry needling
- Kinesio taping
- Home care programs
- And others
We'll utilize all techniques that work for your unique injury, abilities, and needs, as well as provide take-home guidance regarding your lifestyle, habits, movement patterns, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Muscle Strains
Can a chiropractor treat a pulled muscle?
Yes. Chiropractors are trained to evaluate soft tissue injuries, including muscle strains. Treatment may include spinal manipulation, soft tissue techniques like Active Release Technique, dry needling, taping, and personalized home care recommendations to support healing and restore mobility.
How long does a muscle strain take to heal?
Recovery time depends on the severity of the strain. Mild strains may improve within a few days to two weeks, while moderate to severe strains can take several weeks or longer. Proper rest, inflammation management, and guided care can help speed recovery.
Should I use ice or heat for a muscle strain?
Ice is typically recommended during the first 48 hours to reduce inflammation and swelling. After the initial swelling subsides, heat can help relax muscles and improve circulation, which supports healing.
When should I see a chiropractor for a muscle strain?
If pain persists, worsens, limits your movement, or keeps returning, it is a good idea to seek professional care. A chiropractor can assess the injury, rule out more serious issues, and create a treatment plan tailored to your condition.
Can I exercise with a pulled muscle?
You should avoid activities that aggravate the injury. Light movement may be helpful once pain begins to improve, but returning to full activity too soon can delay healing. A chiropractor can guide you on when and how to safely resume exercise.
Contact any one of our chiropractors today:
We're ready to get you moving restriction-free and enjoying life again! Let's get you scheduled!
