Signs Of A Pulled Muscle

The most common causes of a pulled muscle are improperly lifting heavy objects, exercising and lifting weights. The range of severity in pulled muscles is large. It could be anything from a small tear to the muscle nearly being torn in two. It can sometimes be difficult to determine whether or not your muscle is pulled. Below are the five most common signs of a pulled muscle.

Muscle Pain

The first thing you will notice when you pull a muscle is pain. Depending on the severity, it could be a dull pain, or a constant sharp, stabbing pain. When the muscle is touched, it will feel even more sore. In the average pulled muscle, the feeling is very similar to that of a bad bruise.

Muscle Weakness

There is a noticeable decrease of strength in a pulled muscle. It isn't until each and every tear is repaired that the muscle will regain its full strength. The complete process will take anywhere from two weeks to two months to complete. In most cases, a pulled muscle is a minor injury, so the average healing time is on the lower end of that time frame.

Muscle Stiffness

With a pulled muscle, you will notice your range of movement is restricted. For example, if you pull a shoulder muscle, you may not be able to fully extend your arm. The reason for this is that the muscle becomes so tense that it temporarily loses some of its flexibility. This symptom generally lasts from one to six weeks, depending on the severity.

Muscle Swelling

Whether you notice it or not, there is some swelling that goes along with a pulled muscle. A minor strain will produce swelling that most likely will not be noticeable unless you are very aware of what your body looks like normally. Large amounts of swelling should be looked at by a doctor as this could indicate an injury that has long lasting effects.

Bruised Skin

You may notice bruising with a severely pulled muscle. However, if you naturally bruise easily, it is possible for a very minor strain to cause bruising. Often, the bruise shows up as a slight discoloration on your skin, but a bad tear will cause a deep purple bruise.

Tags: pulled muscle, from weeks, minor strain, most common, muscle minor