How long does it take to heal a muscle strain?

For a mild strain, you may be able to return to normal activities within three to six weeks with basic home care. For more severe strains, recovery can take several months. In severe cases, surgical repair and physical therapy may be necessary. With proper treatment, most people recover completely.

Do muscle strains heal on their own?

Most muscle strains do not require surgery, and a full recovery is expected. If there is a partial tear then the athlete can return when they are pain free and have normal strength and motion. This usually occurs following anywhere from a few weeks to a few months of appropriate treatment and therapy.

Should you stretch a strained muscle?

While it may seem counterintuitive, stretching a strained muscle only makes it worse. Your best chance 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.

Should you massage a pulled muscle?

Massage. 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.

Is it better to rest or exercise a pulled muscle?

“The most important treatment for acute muscle strain is rest,” he explains. “Continuing to stress a pulled muscle could result in further damage to muscle and a much longer healing time. Icing can be very beneficial immediately after the injury and for two to three days after to limit swelling.

Is it OK to exercise with a strained muscle?

3 to 21 days after your injury: Start to slowly and regularly exercise your strained muscle. This will help it heal. If you feel pain, decrease how hard you are exercising.

How do I know if I pulled a muscle or pinched a nerve?

You will probably notice pain and swelling, and the area will be tender to the touch. You may even notice redness or bruising. A pinched nerve, or nerve compression, happens when pressure in an area causes the nerve impulses to become partially blocked. You may experience a radiating, burning pain in the affected area.

Is heat good 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.

What is better for muscle strain heat or ice?

Typically, cold is most appropriate for acute injuries and heat is a better chance for chronic injuries. Placing an ice pack on an acute injury immediately helps to reduce pain and swelling because ice is a vasoconstrictor.

How can you tell the difference between a muscle strain and muscle soreness?

The difference between soreness and a pulled muscle

With muscle soreness, you won’t feel it until a day to two later. With a pulled muscle however, the pain is usually immediate.

Is hot or cold better for muscle pain?

Heat boosts the flow of blood and nutrients to an area of the body. It often works best for morning stiffness or to warm up muscles before activity. Cold slows blood flow, reducing swelling and pain. It’s often best for short-term pain, like that from a sprain or a strain.

Is a hot bath good for sore muscles?

Heat will get your blood moving, which is not only great for circulation (more on that later) but can also help sore or tight muscles to relax. The addition of epsom salts in your warm bath has been proven to help reduce inflammation in your joints caused by arthritis or other muscular diseases.

What’s best for muscle pain?

If you get sore muscles once in a while, you can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID) like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve)to help ease the discomfort.

Does ibuprofen relax muscles?

“OTC NSAIDs, like ibuprofen and naproxen, are a good first-line agent to decrease inflammation surrounding an injury,” recommends Joanna Lewis, Pharm. D., creator of The Pharmacist’s Guide. They might not have the same potency of high-grade muscle relaxants, but they’re still effective and have very few side effects.

How do you relieve muscle pain naturally?

Easing muscle aches at home
  1. resting the area of the body where you’re experiencing aches and pains.
  2. taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil)
  3. applying ice to the affected area to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

Are bananas good for pulled muscles?

Bananas are one of the best post-workouts snacks. They are rich in protein, fiber, and potassium – which replenishes your consumed energy after workouts or the daily grind at work. Bananas also contain glycogen which is known to help rebuilt damaged muscles.

Is milk good for muscle recovery?

Milk augments post-exercise muscle protein synthesis and rehydration, can contribute to post-exercise glycogen resynthesis, and attenuates post-exercise muscle soreness/function losses.

What is the best natural muscle relaxer?

The 7 Best Natural Muscle Relaxers
  • Chamomile.
  • Cherry juice.
  • Blueberry smoothies.
  • Cayenne pepper.
  • Vitamin D.
  • Magnesium.
  • Rest.