A muscle strain occurs when, due to accident or overuse, a muscle becomes torn or stretched. Often painful, these injuries may take months to fully heal before the individual can return to normal everyday activities. While many muscle strains can be treated at home, some require medical intervention. After healing, the person should be careful not to do anything that might cause a repeat strain in the same or a different muscle.
Phases
According to Drugs.com, there are five phases of recovery after a muscle strain. The first phase is the acute phase, which lasts for three to seven days and involves significant pain and swelling of the injured area. Phase 2 involves decreased swelling and pain and lasts up to 21 days after the initial injury. During this subacute phase, the muscle should still be treated gently. During the third phase, or remodeling phase, which lasts one to six weeks, stretching is important to rebuild strength in the strained muscle. Phases 4 and 5 may last up to six months and often blend into each other as the healing process completes. During these phases, the individual may slowly return to his former activities, including sports and exercise.
Home Care
Immediately after experiencing a muscle strain, treatment during the acute phase should focus on RICE therapy: rest, ice, compression and elevation. In practice, this means the individual should sit or lie down, relaxing the area, while putting the affected limb higher than the level of the heart. Medline Plus recommends applying an ice pack, or ice wrapped in a cloth, for 10 to 15 minutes at a time every hour for the first 24 hours and every three to four hours for the next three days. Compression involves wrapping an elastic bandage around the limb to keep swelling down, while watching for signs of numbness or swelling below the bandage, which may indicate it is too tight.
Medication
To ease the pain of a muscle strain, over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used. According to Drugs.com, for muscle strains in the back or other locations that may be difficult to stretch, the doctor may inject the area with a mild local anesthetic.
Physical Therapy and Exercise
Many people with a severe muscle strain opt for physical therapy to slowly build strength and flexibility in the muscle. Exercises may include stretches, weight-bearing exercise or practicing everyday activities.
Considerations
An individual with a muscle strain should avoid rushing recovery. Overuse of the muscle can worsen the injury and cause a setback in the healing process. If, after six months, the muscle strain is showing no signs of healing or the person is unable to return to normal activity levels, surgery may be necessary.
Future Prevention
Someone who has experienced a muscle strain may be more prone to developing another one. Once the individual has gone back to normal activity, she should take care to always warm up and cool down before and after exercising or participating in sports. She should incorporate stretching, weight bearing and flexibility exercises into her normal exercise routine. Choosing proper footwear and equipment for sports can also help prevent a future strain.
