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What is a Pulled Muscle?

Exercise

Our bodies contain more than 300 muscles that help us move and give us those “six-pack abs” we hear so much about! If you’re an athlete, or you exercise, and you take the necessary time to stretch those muscles before a work out or athletic event, you find they thank you for time well spent with flexibility and strength. If you fail to do the proper warm up, you risk suffering a pulled (torn or strained) muscle or even worse, a complete muscle tear.

What are the symptoms of a pulled muscle? Usually the area around the muscle will be sore, swollen and tender. You may have difficulty moving the affected area because of the pain and swelling. Sometimes an x-ray of the area may be needed to confirm that you have not broken any bones.

What should you do for a pulled muscle?
  • Apply ice for no more than 20-minute intervals, four to eight times a day to reduce pressure and decrease blood flow to the affected muscle. This helps reduce swelling.

  • Wrap the injured area in an elastic (ace) bandage for support, but be sure it is not too tight!

  • Do not use the muscle while the pain is still present.

  • Keep the affected area elevated, above your heart.

A muscle that has been damaged previously is likely to be damaged again if it has not healed properly. Many of our patients begin care in our practice because they were suffering from a pulled muscle. Chiropractic care can be effective in relieving pain and enhancing proper healing.

Please contact our practice if you have specific questions related to the care and treatment of a pulled muscle.

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Dr. Erica Asks some important questions of interest to North Houston residents - Chiropractor North Houston Dr. Erica Asks...

What's the difference between sick care and health care?
Sick care is largely about relieving or suppressing symptoms. Health care is about improving performance. While sick care is about how you feel, health care is about how you function. Sick care is what you do to treat an obvious problem, and health care is what you do to avoid the problem and advance your well-being.
What is the purpose of pain?
Pain prompts many North Houston folks to begin chiropractic care. But pain isn't the problem! Pain is just how your body alerts you that a limit has been reached (or exceeded), that something isn't working right and that some type of change is needed. As a chiropractor, my job is finding the underlying cause and recommending the changes needed to bring your body back into balance.