|  | Conditions Treatments | Muscle Strain

Quick Recovery of Muscle Tears

Muscle tears can be a painful ordeal and hinder daily activities. Once a muscle has been torn, it is difficult to think about anything other than healing as fast as possible. Several methods can be used alone or in conjunction to heal a torn muscle quickly.

  1. RICE

    • The RICE method is the quickest form of recovery for the first one to two days after a muscle has been injured. This acronym stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. First, relax the torn muscle by not doing anything strenous to exacerbate the injury. Apply ice to the affected area to relieve swelling and inflammation. Wrap an elastic bandage to secure ice in its place. Leave on for 15 minutes, loosen the bandage and remove the ice. The ice may be reapplied after about 20 minutes. Do this three to four times a day. Keep the injury elevated while ice and compression are applied. Be sure the injured area is elevated above the heart level to stanch the flow of blood to the injury.

    Heat Therapy

    • Heat therapy is easy, inexpensive, soothes torn muscles, and helps them heal quickly. There are plenty of methods you can use: a hot bath, heating pad, a warm towel, or hot water bottles. Whatever method you choose, make sure the heat is at a medium level. If it is too mild, it may not do much good for healing purposes. If it is too hot, it may burn your skin. Place the source of heat on the torn muscles for at least 20 to 30 minutes. Repeat this cycle at least three times a day until you feel relief.

    Massage Therapy

    • This form of treatment works so well because it stimulates blood flow to the site of injury. You may choose to perform your own massage therapy simply by rubbing the torn muscle. However, if you can go to a professional massage therapist, it may speed up healing time. She can perform strokes like cross-fiber friction that focus on a particular injured muscle. Massaging them will help eliminate adhesions that have formed in the muscle and decrease scar tissue.

    See a Doctor

    • If the aforementioned therapies do not accelerate healing time for a muscle tear or you have a severe injury, seek the advice of a doctor. He will be able to pinpoint the injured muscle and provide treatment advice. This will help ensure that your method of treatment will be helpful rather than aggravating to an injured muscle. Your doctor may also prescribe analgesics or muscle relaxants to use in combination with other forms of therapy.

Muscle Strain - Related Articles