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Muscle strains and tears are common types of sports injuries that can lead to pain and discomfort. Hectic activities involving brisk top and lower body movements (such as golf or pickleball) make you more prone to pulling a muscle.
Have you imagined what happens when someone pulls a muscle while playing or running around with the grandkids? Even the simplest of household chores such as gardening can land you into trouble (and pain).
The soft tissues of your body have immense potential for stretching. However, overstretching of a tendon or a muscle can cause them to give away.
Muscles, like other parts of the body, need water to function properly. A shortfall in water supply can promote cramping and straining. Dehydration plays a significant role in the development of muscle strains.
Though muscle strain is caused by injury, overstretching, and improper forces, the hydration status of the muscle cannot be ignored. Muscle strains are commonly seen in the leg region.
Symptoms of a Strained Muscle
To be able to identify a strained or pulled muscle you must first know the muscle strain symptoms. Pain and difficulty moving are a primary feature. This is accompanied by swelling and bruising of the skin. Some patients also report snapping and popping sensations
How To Manage A Strained Muscle?
In most cases, muscle strain management is easy. The main aim of the treatment is to alleviate pain and inflammation.
R.I.C.E vs. R.H.H.W.
In recent years, the term R.I.C.E (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) was the staple recommendation behind injuries.
However, after detailed examination and patient analysis Doc John Theeck recommends patients adopt R.H.H.W instead of the conventional R.I.C.E. The chiropractor in The Villages at Legacy Clinic has used R.H.H.W for many years and has had amazing recovery results.
R.I.C.E is the conventional method of treating a pulled muscle that involves rest (R), ice application (I), compression (C), and elevation (E). Contrary to popular belief Dr. JT Anderson, an experienced expert of chiropractic treatment, suggests patients go for rest (R), heat (H), hydration (H), and (W). Generally, a mild muscle strain takes anywhere between one to six weeks to heal completely. However, with these steps, you can recover much faster.
Heat helps soothe joints and relax muscles and is used to treat chronic pain. Heat reduces muscle aching and stiffness and works by improving circulation and blood flow to the affected area. It can also increase muscle flexibility and promote the healing of damaged tissue.
Some of the more seasoned patients prefer icing their joints because their joints feel hot and painful, and that brings them comfort. However many arthritic patients prefer heating their joints to help loosen up the stiffness and alleviate pain.
The most important instruction in muscle strain management is:
DO NOT ice a strained muscle or stretch an injured muscle or tendon.
Legacy recommends that patients take Inflammation to reduce inflammation *3x per day, the Collagen Joint Complex *3x per day, and the CBD Clinic-Level 5 as a natural topical pain reliever which helps to calm down nerve pain, muscle soreness, and injured ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.
Please always ask a Legacy doctor if you need help with patient care. We are here as a team to provide excellent treatment recommendations!