How Do You Recover From A Strained Or Pulled Muscle?
• Put an ice pack, or ice wrapped in a towel on the area of pain for no more than 20 minutes. This should be done immediately. This helps reduce inflammation soon after an injury. • Anything cold will do for this step — a bag of frozen peas, for example. • Rest the injured area and keep it raised. Rest for a while (“baby it”), making sure to raise the injured area above the chest level if possible. Do not immobilize the area because this will cause stiffness, and possible damage. • Medicate with an over the counter anti-inflammatory. An anti-inflammatory will help prevent/reduce swelling. • You can take two Aleve every four or so hours. Ibuprofen will also help and can be taken in greater and more frequent quantities. • It also helps to use a cream such as Icy Hot. • Massage the area a few minutes every hour. This will decrease swelling and increase blood flow. • After 1-3 days, apply moist heat on the injured area. A *moist* hot towel, heating pad, hot bath, hot water bottle, hot sho
