Effective Treatment of Pulled Muscles and Muscle Pain

Muscle pain from muscle strains and pulled muscles is common with anyone who plays sports, works, exercises or who takes part in just about any type of activity. 

Pulled muscles, also called muscle strains, are injuries that occur when muscles or tendons are stretched beyond their limits, resulting in tears, inflammation and muscle pain.  They can occur in the middle of the muscle itself, or in the tendon - the part that connects muscle or bone.  Pulled muscles that occur close to a tendon usually cause muscle pain much closer to the joint.

Active Release Technique is a fast and effective method for treating pulled muscles and muscle strains. Active Release can restore normal muscle function after a strain, decreasing pain and decreasing the risk of re-injury after a return to activity.  Kinesio Taping can also help decrease the pain of a pulled muscle, improve muscle function, and can be worn during activity.

 

Where Do Pulled Muscles and Muscle Strains Usually Occur?

Although muscle pulls and strains can happen just about anywhere in the body, the most common strain injuries are neck strain, lower back strain, muscle pulls in the leg, hamstring or calf, and shoulder strain.  Muscle pulls in the leg and calf are common in runner and sprinters, and neck strain or lower back strain is more common in people who do physical labor for a living.

 

What Are the Symptoms of Pulled Muscles and Muscle Strains?

Common symptoms of muscle pulls and muscle strains include pain, redness and swelling around the injured area.  Using a strained muscle or moving the joint closest to the muscle pull will often cause a fair bit of pain.  Muscle pain is also likely to be present even when you're resting the injured area.  In more severe muscle pulls or strains, you may have some degree of weakness of the involved muscle or may tear the musle completely.  If you're unable to use the muscle at all after an injury, seek medical attention immediately.

 

Active Release Technique for Pulled Muscles and Muscle Pain

When a muscle strain or muscle pull occurs, the body begins producing tough, dense scar tissue in the injured area.  As scar tissue builds up, pulled muscles become shorter and weaker, and tendons become more stiff.  This leads to a reduced range of motion in the affected joints, reduced strength, and muscle pain.  Active Release Technique can help break up scar tissue, leading to improved flexibility, better ranges of motion, and a significant redcution of muscle pain in a short time.

Chiropractic can also be very helpful when treating muscle pulls and strains.  Chiropractic adjusting can help stretch injured tissues to help improve flexibility of the muscles and tendons, and help restore normal movement the joints around a strain.

 

Dr. McGahey's Approach to Treating Pulled Muscles

Dr. McGahey takes a comprehensive approach to treating muscle pulls and muscle strains. Active Release Technique can help break up adhesions and scar tissue in the strained muscle and tendon.  Chiropractic can help restore normal motion and function to the joints affected by a muscle pull.  Kinesio Taping can help reduce pain and swelling while the injury is healing, and help inhibit spasm of the strained muscle.

 

Treatment of Pulled Muscles and Muscle Pain in Bellevue, WA

If you’re interested in learning about how Chiropractic and Active Release Technique can help your pulled muscle pain, please consider scheduling a consultation with Bellevue Chiropractor Dr. Keith McGahey.  His Chiropractic clinic, Eastside Chiropractic Group, is located in Downtown Bellevue near Overlake Hospital. Open Saturdays, same day appointments are available, and consultations are ALWAYS FREE!  Call (425) 455-2711.