How to Diagnose a Pulled Muscle

Pulled muscle, also known as muscle strain, occurs when there is tearing of the muscle or the tendon, the cord that attaches muscle to bone. It is a common injury, especially among people who exercise regularly and play sports. Muscle pulls are easy to diagnose. Many can be treated at home and heal within a few weeks.

Instructions

• 1

  Check for the symptoms. Symptoms of pulled muscle include pain, swelling, muscle spasms and limited ability to move the affected muscle.

• 2

  Consider your activities. If you have performed any activity recently that involves the muscle in question, and your symptoms match the symptoms of a pulled muscle, chances are good that you have a pulled muscle.

• 3

  Apply the RICE protocol. Mild muscle strains are best treated through what sports-medicine experts call the RICE protocol: rest, ice, compression and elevation. Avoid activities that cause pain, apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes every two to three hours, compress the injured area with an elastic bandage, and keep the injured area above your heart to reduce swelling.

• 4

  Relieve your pain. Over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help

• 5

  Watch for the signs of dangerous injury. Your injury could be too severe to treat at home, or it may be more severe than a pulled muscle. Signs of such an injury include the inability to walk more than a few steps without sharp pain, inability to move the joint, numbness in the injured area, and redness or red streaks spreading from the injured area.

• 6

  See a doctor if you have any of the signs of dangerous injury.