Muscle Pull

This is a common word used regularly when people injure themselves during physical activity. Sometimes people use the word muscle pull when they are actually referring to a muscle cramp. Allow me to indicate the difference between a few muscular issues:

• Muscle cramp: A cramp will present as a knot or hard spot in the muscle. Cramps are usually caused by problems such as overworking a muscle, poor hydration, electrolyte imbalances, and insufficient blood flow to the muscle or nerve compression.
• Sprain: A stretch of a partial tear of a ligament and corresponding joint. Therefore, a sprained calf muscle is not possible.
• Lactic acid build-up:  Lactic acid is a byproduct of the fuels burned by the body for energy during exercise. If the lactic acid wastes are not properly flushed from the bloodstream, the athlete will experience a burning sensation in the muscle, not unlike that of an injury to the muscle.
• Muscle pull (strain): A pulled muscle is actually a tear in the muscle tissue. This occurs when the muscle is strained to the point where the muscle is damaged. The more significant the strain, the more the muscle can be torn.

Causes Of a Muscle Pull

• A movement that stretches a muscle beyond its ability to stretch
• Overuse of the muscle or muscle fatigue.
• Direct trauma on the muscle

Symptoms Of a Muscle Pull

• Soreness in the affected muscle(usually the first symptom)
• Pain-using the muscle would be difficult
• Bruising may be present
• Tenderness especially on touching
• Swelling might occur

Treatment.

Rest The Muscle

• When you strain a muscle, stop doing the activity that caused it to be strained. Pulled muscles are actually rips in muscle fibers, and further exertion could cause the tear to grow larger and lead to a serious injury.
  • Let the amount of pain you feel be your guide. If a pulled muscle occurs while you’re running or playing a sport, and you have to stop and catch your breath due to the severe pain, the best thing to do is sit the rest of the game out.
  • Take a few days to recover from the pulled muscle before resuming the activity that caused it.
  • Ice the muscle.
  • Icing the area reduces swelling and helps ease the pain. Fill a large storage bag with ice cubes. Wrap  it  in a thin towel, to protect your skin from getting damaged from direct ice. Hold the ice pack to your sore area for 20 minutes at a time several times a day until the swelling has gone down.

NB: Avoid using heat, which will not reduce inflammation caused by a pulled muscle. 

Compress The Area

• Wrapping the site of the pulled muscle can reduce inflammation and provide support to prevent further injury. Use an ace bandage to loosely wrap your arm or leg.

NB: Do not wrap the area too tightly, or you might inhibit circulation.

Elevate The Muscle

• Raising the inflamed area can help the swelling go down and provide it with the proper rest it needs to heal. If you pulled a muscle in your leg, rest it on a chair while sitting. If you pulled a muscle in your arm, you can elevate it using a sling.

Within a few days a muscle pull should be able to feel better if it does not resolve means then you need attention from a physiotherapist who will be able to give you necessary treatment to alleviate your pain and get you back to function.
We, however advocate preventing an injury before it happens so observe the following to help you avoid it:

Preventions

• Warm up. Pulled muscles happen when your muscles get overstrained, which can often occur as a result of exerting yourself before you’ve properly warmed up? Take the time to stretch and get your muscles warmed up before you participate in a physical activity.  If you enjoy running, take a light jog before doing sprints or fast running.
•  Do strength training. Incorporating weightlifting and other strength training into your exercise routine can help prevent the chance that you will pull a muscle during an activity. Use free weights at home or work out in the weight room at the gym to build a solid, strong core and keep your muscles limber. 
• Know when to stop. It is easy to get caught up in the moment when you are doing a physical activity and force yourself to keep going even when the pain in the leg or arm indicates you should stop. Remember that putting more strain on a pulled muscle will only make things worse. If you cause a deeper tear, you may have to sit out for an entire season instead of just one game.

Eunice Kabana
Physical Therapist
Chiropractic And Physotherapy Health Centre