Pulled Muscle Relief

Pulled muscles are painful and can result from overuse, exertion or simply twisting the wrong way during normal, daily routines. Pulled muscle pain can be alleviated in a number of ways, depending on how quickly you are able to administer treatment and how much it hurts.

Ice

• If you are able to treat a pulled muscle immediately, an ice pack is the way to go. The ice will help lessen both the swelling and the pain. If an ice pack is not handy, you can always use a very cold, wet towel, ice cubes wrapped in a washcloth or even a package of frozen vegetables. If the pack you choose is too cold and uncomfortable, place a thin washcloth between it and your skin.

Heat

• Heat is best used for continued relief from a pulled muscle, but not immediately after it happens. Heat works to aid circulation and relax the muscle to avoid spasms and stiffness. A soothing warm bath, especially one infused with epsom salts, will help ease the pain, as will a warm shower. A moist heat from a hot towel soak will also do the trick. Reheat the towel with hot water when it starts to cool. Just make sure the temperature is not hot enough to burn the skin. Heating pads are another option, although the moist heat is going to be more beneficial than the dry.

Other

• If you still need further relief, you can try other methods to alleviate the pain. Visit a drugstore or health food store for some arnica cream, which is a homeopathic remedy made from the Arnica Montana plant. Because this particular cream is all-natural and readily absorbs into the skin, it is a safe and friendly method of soothing. You can also check out a number of other creams and salves on the market, such as Bengay. Another helpful tip is to take aspirin or a mild pain reliever, which will definitely take the edge off the agony.