Doing so can reduce your blood circulation. If your muscle strain is severe, you may need medical attention. Physical therapy may also be recommended. For mild to moderate strains, home treatment should be enough. Seek medical attention if any of the following happens:. A physical examination and imaging tests, such as X-rays and MRI scans, can help your doctor determine the extent of your injury.
Treatment may include anti-inflammatory medications and pain relievers to reduce pain and swelling. Your doctor may also prescribe physical therapy to help strengthen the muscle and restore movement.
Regular exercise can keep your muscles healthy and strong, but proper techniques are also crucial in preventing muscle strains. Always stretch and warm up before engaging in physical activity. Similarly, take the time to stretch after each workout or session of physical activity to prevent muscle stiffness. Build up your activity a little at a time.
Recovery time depends on the severity of the injury. 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. You can improve your chances of recovery by taking steps to avoid getting the same injury again. Muscle stiffness often goes away on its own, and some people find relief with exercise and stretches.
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Depending on the severity of the strain, you may find it difficult to move the area, if at all. If the tear is from overuse, the symptoms may take weeks to get to the point where you finally seek medical attention. If the strain or tear is acute and serious —usually brought on by an accident, slipping, falling, colliding into something, or lifting something heavy, you may be forced to seek immediate treatment. Your orthopedist may order an MRI or X-ray to confirm diagnosis and recommend proper treatment, as well as reveal whether a bone fracture has accompanied the injury or not.
Recovery from a minor strain or tear can be affected by observing the R. Your orthopedist may also recommend NSAIDs — non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — to help reduce swelling. A moderate muscle strain or tear can usually be treated similarly but for a longer period of a time. Normal activities can be resumed when a full range of motion returns without accompanying pain.
Moderate tears may require physical therapy. A severe tear that requires surgical repair can take months or longer to heal. In this case, remember the adage: Do no H. In most cases, muscles tears are preventable by observing proper warm-up techniques and never forcing a cold muscle to perform full tilt.
Using the proper form in any activity is also critical to maintaining healthy muscles. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.
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