Your muscles have a certain degree of elasticity and mobility. The more flexible you are, the less prone your muscles are to injury. There are many ways you can hurt your muscles, ligaments, and tendons if you push your body too hard. For example, a muscle strain, or pulled muscle, is when your muscle stretches beyond its normal range of motion, sometimes leaving a large tear in the muscle tissue.

If you’re experiencing tight, sore muscles or muscle strain, meet with our chiropractor Independence, MO to find the relief you seek.

How Do Muscles Become Strained?

Muscles in your arms, legs, and elsewhere in your body are comprised of fibrous materials that stretch and contract to allow movement. When you lift weights or perform other physically strenuous activities, muscle fibers tear slightly. This is what causes sore muscles after an intense workout. When the torn fibers heal, they grow back even stronger and larger than before, which is how bodybuilders develop such a large muscle mass.

If you attempt to lift too heavy of an object or extend a limb beyond its natural flexibility, it’s possible to stretch and tear your muscles significantly. This leads to a painful muscle strain. From pitching one too many baseball innings to overexerting yourself while trying to get your car out of the mud, muscle strains can happen to anyone who exceeds their physical limits. Still, athletes and bodybuilders have the highest risk of pulled muscles.

Symptoms of Muscle Strain

Pulled muscles can cause a range of symptoms, including:

  • Localized pain
  • Muscle stiffness and soreness
  • Decreased range of motion
  • Inflammation
  • Bruising

Depending on how severely your muscle strain is, you may be sore for a day or two, or you might be forced to take it easy for about six weeks.

Chiropractic Treatment for Muscle Strain

The immediate treatment for a pulled muscle is RICE, or rest, ice, compression, and elevation. It’s important to stay off the affected limb until it fully heals or you could delay the recovery process significantly. For a minor muscle strain, rest, ice, compression, and elevation may be all you need. However, for more severe injuries, chiropractic care can help you heal faster.

Visit with Dr. Steven Rickman, our chiropractor in Independence, MO, for advice about which treatments you should pursue. We offer soft tissue massage to relieve sore muscles, reduce inflammation, and increase blood flow to the damaged area. We also provide chiropractic adjustments, which are especially effective for muscle injuries along the spine.

Schedule Treatment with a Chiropractor Independence, MO

If you pulled a muscle playing sports or participating in another physical activity, seek the effective, non-invasive care you need at Rickman Chiropractic. Our chiropractor Independence will help you recover from your injuries quickly and reduce muscular tightness to help prevent future injuries. To learn more or to schedule your first visit, please call (816) 350-0020 today.