Pulling a muscle is a terrible feeling. It hurts and limits your mobility for a significant amount of time. How significant, though? Our AFC Urgent Care Monroe Road team answers this question and shares additional helpful information below, so keep reading! A pulled muscle, or 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. Typically, discomfort from a pulled muscle will last between three to six weeks. On the other hand, recovery for more severe muscle strains can take several months. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to prevent a pulled muscle, and we’ve listed a few of them below. Muscle Strain Prevention Tactics
A pulled muscle can happen to the best of us! If you’ve pulled a muscle or are experiencing pain or discomfort of any sort, don’t hesitate to visit our AFC Urgent Care Monroe Road center today! You finally said goodbye to bronchitis and its earth-shaking cough. But now, you’re left with rib muscle pain that taunts you with every breath. Or, maybe you were a little too enthusiastic about that new exercise program, and the muscles between your ribs won’t stop screaming in protest. What’s going on? You could be dealing with an intercostal muscle strain. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy “Intercostal muscle strain can be scary if you don’t know its cause, and it feels quite intense,” says internal medicine specialist Janet Morgan, MD. So, what are intercostal muscles — and how do you strain them? Keep reading to learn more about this common condition and what you can do to alleviate the pain. The intercostal muscles and causes of strainYour intercostal muscles are the muscles between your ribs. They allow your ribcage to expand and contract so you can breathe. But if they stretch too far or tear, intercostal muscle strain is the end result. You can strain the intercostal muscles suddenly or by doing certain movements over and over. Common causes include:
“Breathing can be painful, especially deep breaths,” says Dr. Morgan. “But what muddies the picture is that sometimes, painful breathing can be a sign of something serious, such as pneumonia or a blood clot in the lung. So we often end up doing X-rays to make sure there isn’t something else going on.” Who’s most at risk for muscle strains in the chest?Intercostal muscle strain is one of the most common causes of musculoskeletal chest pain. But age or a sedentary lifestyle can place you at higher risk. “Someone who’s older with thinner muscles could strain rib muscles a lot easier than someone who works out and has built up their muscles,” notes Dr. Morgan. Intercostal muscle strain or pneumonia: how to tell the differenceBecause intercostal muscle strain and pneumonia both cause chest pain, it can be hard to know the difference. But there are some telltale signs: Dr. Morgan notes that intercostal muscle strain is more tender and painful when you touch the affected area. “Pain when you twist or bend over can also be a sign,” she notes. “But these symptoms aren’t a 100% guarantee that it’s an intercostal muscle strain, so still keep pneumonia in the back of your mind.” Other symptoms of an intercostal muscle strain include:
Dr. Morgan urges you to avoid self-diagnosis, especially if the pain is severe. “I’d rather people have their provider make that call than assume they’re OK. We need to hear the whole constellation of symptoms to rule out something more serious, such as rib fracture or even cancer,” she says. “It’s important to check in with your provider via phone or a virtual visit to make sure nothing is missed.” How to find relief from intercostal muscle strain painWhile you await your appointment, Dr. Morgan recommends these steps to take the edge off:
Treatments for intercostal muscle strainIf home remedies and rest aren’t enough, your doctor may recommend:
Even with your provider’s help, muscle strains of any kind take about four to six weeks to completely heal. But with patience and time, you’ll be pain-free before you know it. What does pulled chest muscle feel like?A strained chest muscle usually causes pain in the chest that gets worse when you move or cough. Common pulled chest muscle symptoms include: Pain in the chest that may be sharp or dull. Pain in the chest that gets worse when you move your chest or upper spine.
How do you treat a pulled muscle in your chest?Muscle strain in chest treatment. Rest. Stop activity and rest.. Ice. Apply ice or a cold pack to the injured area for 20 minutes up to three times a day.. Compression. Consider wrapping any areas of pain with an elastic bandage but don't wrap too tightly as it may reduce circulation.. Elevation. Keep your chest elevated.. How do I know if I pulled a muscle in my chest?A strained or pulled chest muscle may cause a sharp pain in your chest.. pain, which may be sharp (an acute pull) or dull (a chronic strain). swelling.. muscle spasms.. difficulty moving the affected area.. pain while breathing.. bruising.. |
How long does it take for a pulled chest muscle to heal
Postagens relacionadas
direito autoral © 2024 cemle Inc.
