Most muscle strains (pulled muscles) can get better by resting and taking it easy for a couple of weeks. Some strains, however, are more serious and need medical treatment to properly heal. How are you supposed to know if you need medical treatment, though?

Our AFC Urgent Care Greenwood team provides some helpful answers below.

What Exactly Is a Muscle Strain?

A muscle strain is an injury to a muscle or a tendon, which is the fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones. Minor injuries may only overstretch a muscle or tendon, while more severe injuries may involve partial or complete tears in these tissues.

Pulled muscles most commonly occur in the lower back and the muscles at the back of the thigh (hamstrings), but they can happen to any muscle on the body. We’ve listed some common muscle strain symptoms below.

Symptoms of a Strained Muscle

• Sudden onset of pain
• Soreness
• Limited range of movement
• Bruising or discoloration
• Swelling
• A “knotted-up” feeling
• Muscle spasms
• Stiffness
• Weakness

Can Muscle Strains Be Severe?

Yes, but they’re definitely not as common as mild strains. In a mild strain, your muscle may feel slightly stiff, but still flexible enough for use. A severe muscle strain, however, is when the muscle is completely torn, and it usually results in a lot of pain and very limited movement.

The symptoms of mild to moderate muscle strains usually go away within a few weeks, but more severe strains may take months to heal. We’ve listed some signs that show medical care may be necessary to treat your muscle strain below.

When to Seek Medical Treatment

• You heard a “pop” sound when you suffered the injury
• The pain doesn’t subside after a week
• The injured area is numb
• There’s blood coming from your injury
• You can’t walk
• You can’t move your arms or legs

Need medical care for your pulled muscle? Don’t wait to visit our AFC Urgent Care Greenwood center today!