"Muscles
contract and relax to help the body move. When a muscle is
overstretched, it results in a strain or pull. Some of the most common
locations for muscle strains or pulls are in the legs, neck and back. A
pull or a strain is different from a muscle sprain because the sprain
results when a muscle's ligament is overstretched or torn.
Note when the muscle pain
occurs. If the pain starts during an activity, it usually indicates a
pulled muscle. If the pain begins after playing a sport, performing yard
work or other activity, it is probably delayed-onset muscle soreness
and is not considered a strain or pull.
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Assess your pre-injury
events. If you did not stretch your muscles prior to incurring your
injury, you may have a pulled muscle. Pulled muscles commonly result
from overstretching "cold" muscles or from returning to a sport too soon
after taking time off either from another injury or after the
off-season.
Stretch the sore muscle. If
a muscle is pulled, stretching it usually does not help decrease the
pain. Some people find massaging the sore muscle will help, since it
stimulates blood flow to the area, while stretching the muscle does not.
Look at the injured area.
You may notice swelling the first few hours following the injury if you
have a pulled muscle. A pulled muscle can cause discoloration or
bruising in the injured area over the several days following the event.
Treat the injury. Pulled
muscles usually respond well to the RICE method. This involves resting
the injured area, icing the sore muscle, applying a compression bandage
to the area and elevating the sore body part. You should take a break
from your normal activities, especially those that may aggravate the
pulled muscle. The combination of ice, compression and elevation will
help reduce swelling in the injured area."
