How to treat a muscle strain?

Muscular strain is often caused due to over-stretching or pulled out muscles. This usually starts after fatigue attacks caused by overuse or inappropriate muscle twists. Muscle strains could happen in any part of the body, but mostly they affect the lower back, neck, shoulder, and hamstrings. Sportspersons frequently experience sudden muscle strains as they are more exposed to jumping, playing, and other physically strenuous activities that affect muscle movements. 

The muscle strain causes pain and limits movement of the affected muscle groups. Though moderate strains could be cured at home with some home remedies (ice, heat, and anti-inflammatory medications) but for major injuries, one needs to find a professional treatment. 

Common signs of muscle strain

Know at the early stage of muscle strain once you get into the sudden onset of pain, soreness, limited body movement, bruising or discolouration, swelling, tiredness, stiffness, muscle spasms. Now jump to the prevention or treatment section. These symptoms of moderate pain readily walk from one week to another. 

Treatment for muscle strain 

There are a lot of ways to treat muscle strain. A full pack of ice cubes or maybe heat could decrease the pain and likely give lot of relief to the patient. Let’s read a few more home remedies: 

1. Rest
   Give rest to your body and avoid exerting stress on your muscles for a while, especially when you feel an increased pain during exercises. It may cause muscle weakness which can prolong the healing duration. 
2. Ice
   Use ice on injured parts immediately after muscle stiffness or pain. It will decrease swelling. Apply an ice pack or wrap ice in a towel and put it on the affected area. For the first day, repeat the process at an hour’s interval. 
3. Compression
   Compress the affected area with an elastic bandage to minimize swelling of the injuries. 
4. Stretching
   Later on in the repair, the injured tissues require being separated and stretched. This must be done slowly, carefully and within a pain-free range. 
   

If you have any concerns, this advice is only a guide and discussion with your doctor or chiropractor prior to treatment is recommended.