Chiropractic for Pulled Muscles

What is a Pulled Muscle?

Who isn’t familiar with that all-too-familiar twinge while reaching for a box on the top shelf or bending to tend to the garden? Pulled muscles occur when a muscle is stretched beyond its limit. When this happens, microscopic tears are created in the muscle, causing pain and dysfunction. The medical term for this condition is a muscle strain, more accurately describing what happens to a so-called pulled muscle. Sometimes, a tendon can also become strained, intensifying symptoms.

Muscle or tendon strains are frequently caused by accidents or sudden movement. Some examples of these include auto accidents and lifting a heavy object. Sometimes, repeating smaller actions can cause strains. Events that fall into this category include excessively performing a particular exercise or playing a musical instrument.

Although the terms strains and sprains are often used interchangeably, they are not the same condition. What distinguishes a sprain from a strain is the motion involved. Sprains typically happen when a joint is twisted against its usual movement pattern, resulting in ligament damage. Ankles and wrists are some of the most common sprains we see here at Health From Within. Since sprains often accompany a fall, they frequently occur with other injuries.

One thing that strains and sprains have in common is the lengthy recovery period. Making a complete recovery from a strain or sprain typically takes anywhere from one to three months. More severe muscle tears or ligament damage can take significantly more time. Although the body has remarkable healing powers that we tap during chiropractic for pulled muscle treatment, rebuilding tissue takes time.

Common Causes of Pulled Muscles

Exceeding normal limits during sports, work, or other activities can damage tendons and muscles. When these tissues tear, a muscle strain can result. Failing to warm up, moving suddenly, or working through fatigue increase the chances of pulling a muscle.

One aspect that makes muscle strain treatment more challenging is scar tissue. Anytime the body is injured, it produces scar tissue called adhesions. Since these adhesions can stiffen and weaken the muscles, they can make reinjury much more likely. Pulled muscle chiropractic care at Health From Within focuses as much on treating adhesions as it does on treating pulled muscles.

Symptoms of Pulled Muscles

Pain is the most frequently reported symptom of a pulled muscle. This pain occurs while using the muscle, but it can also happen when the muscle is at rest. According to our patients, the pulled muscle feels hot and swollen. We also see bruising over the area of the strained muscle.

The severity of symptoms varies quite a bit between patients. Some of our Health From Within patients have pain so intense that it keeps them from participating in everyday activities. Other patients have much milder symptoms. No matter how severe symptoms are, they are the body’s warning signals to get pulled muscle treatment right away. Rapid therapy helps our patients optimize recovery while avoiding the risk of additional injury.

Strains and sprains are some of the most common diagnoses we make after patients find us from an internet search of “pulled muscle chiropractor near me.” They want relief and are tired of taking pain pills. Many of them have been warned of possible surgery for worsening issues and desire a safer alternative.

Our muscle strain treatment staff meticulously reviews every treatment before offering it to patients. We consult all the latest research studies and apply our scientific reasoning to determine if a therapy is compelling and safe. The following are examples of some of the chiropractic for pulled muscle treatments that get our patients their eagerly anticipated results.

Here at Health From Within, we treat a wide range of conditions. As a result, we have numerous therapies to offer patients. Every treatment we offer begins with a thorough medical evaluation. We take a detailed health history that delves into relationships, work history, and other areas that are often skipped during traditional medical appointments.

After we know about a patient’s past health, we assess their current condition. This always includes a physical examination and a battery of neurological and physical movement tests. Sometimes, we perform one or more scans if we feel such images would provide additional information needed for treatment.

Once our chiropractic evaluation is complete, we discuss treatment options with each patient. When selecting therapies, we keep in mind a patient’s lifestyle and any health goals they share with us. The following is a carefully considered selection of the interventions that provide the most benefit for our patients seeking pulled muscle treatment.

Chiropractic Adjustment

Chiropractic adjustments are a hands-on treatment we offer here at Health From Within. We use gentle thrusts and other techniques to restore normal alignment. While we can realign a variety of body areas, the most common focus for our work is the spine.

Spinal adjustments help promote the healing of pulled muscles because they boost the body’s master communication system, the central nervous system. The central nervous system or CNS comprises the brain and spinal cord. Since the spinal cord connects to every other nerve in the body, keeping it in excellent condition also preserves the health of the other nerves.

Everyday movement and injuries can bring the spine out of optimal alignment. When this happens, one or more segments of the spine may be pressing on the spinal cord or other nerves disrupting communication to and from the brain. Restoring alignment reestablishes a clear connection, promoting enhanced blood flow, optimal immune function, and other elements crucial for good health.

Active Release Therapy

Active Release Therapy or ART is a specialized therapy designed explicitly for treating soft tissue, including muscles and tendons. ART involves carefully diagnosing tissue condition, tension, and movement patterns. Once we’ve pinpointed the issue, we strategically touch portions of a patient’s muscles while they perform specific movements. This therapy relieves pain and helps restore healthy functioning.

If you pull a muscle, you should begin supportive care immediately by following the RICE protocol. This stands for rest, ice, compressing it by wearing an elastic wrap around it, and elevating the pulled muscle, if possible. If your symptoms don’t substantially resolve after a day or two of this self-care, then give us a call. Our Health From Within chiropractor, Dr. Ochsner, can help relieve your pain and give your pulled muscle the early care it needs to optimize healing.