Pulled Muscle Expert Rehab | Arunalaya Physiotherapy Delhi

Best Pulled Muscle Injury Treatment In Delhi NCR.

What is Pulled Muscle Injury ?

A pulled muscle , also known as a muscle strain, occurs when muscle fibers are overstretched or torn. This can range from microscopic tears to a complete rupture of the muscle. Muscle strains are common injuries, especially in athletes, but they can happen to anyone.

Causes of Pulled Muscle

Muscle strains typically result from:

Overstretching: When a muscle is stretched beyond its normal capacity, such as during a sudden movement, awkward fall, or performing a split without proper warm-up.
Overuse/Fatigue: Repetitive or prolonged use of a muscle without adequate rest can lead to fatigue, making the muscle more susceptible to injury. This is common in endurance sports or jobs requiring repetitive movements.
Sudden, Forceful Contraction: A powerful, explosive movement, like sprinting, jumping, or lifting heavy objects, can cause a muscle to contract too forcefully and tear.
Inadequate Warm-up: Muscles are more elastic and less prone to injury when warm. Failing to warm up properly before physical activity leaves muscles stiff and vulnerable.
Muscle Imbalance: If some muscles are significantly stronger or tighter than their opposing muscle groups, it can create imbalance and increase the risk of strain.
Poor Flexibility: Limited range of motion in a joint or muscle can increase the risk of strain during movements that push the muscle’s limits.
Previous Injury: A muscle that has been strained before is more likely to be re-injured, especially if it hasn’t fully healed or if underlying issues persist.
Poor Biomechanics/Technique: Incorrect form during exercise or sports can place undue stress on certain muscle groups.
Cold Weather: Cold muscles are less elastic and more prone to injury.
Dehydration and Poor Nutrition: Can affect muscle health.

Symptoms of Pulled Muscle

The symptoms of a pulled muscle vary depending on the severity of the strain (graded 1 to 3):

Grade 1 (Mild Strain): Only a few muscle fibers are torn.

Mild pain, often described as a dull ache.
Tenderness to touch.
Slight stiffness or tightness in the muscle.
Normal or nearly normal strength.
Minimal swelling or bruising (may not be visible).
Usually resolves within a few days to a week.

Grade 2 (Moderate Strain): A significant number of muscle fibers are torn, but the muscle is not completely ruptured.

Moderate to severe pain, often sharp or stabbing, especially with movement.
Significant tenderness to touch.
Noticeable swelling and bruising (may appear later).
Moderate loss of strength and range of motion.
Pain with stretching or contracting the muscle.
May feel a “pop” or “snap” at the time of injury.
Recovery can take several weeks to a few months.

Grade 3 (Severe Strain/Complete Rupture): The muscle is completely torn or detached from its tendon or bone.

Severe, immediate pain, often excruciating.
A distinct “pop” or “snap” sound or sensation at the time of injury.
Significant swelling and extensive bruising.
Complete loss of muscle function and strength.
A visible deformity, gap, or “dent” in the muscle belly.
Unable to bear weight or move the affected limb.
Often requires surgical intervention and a long recovery period (several months).

Other general symptoms include:-

Muscle spasm or cramping.
Pain during activities that use the affected muscle.
Stiffness after periods of rest.

Advanced Physiotherapy for a Pulled Muscle

Advanced physiotherapy is crucial for optimizing recovery, preventing re-injury, and restoring full function after a pulled muscle.

Phases of Rehabilitation:-

Phase 1: Acute/Protection Phase (0-72 hours, depending on severity)

Goal: Reduce pain, swelling, and protect the injured muscle.
Interventions:
- R.I.C.E. Principle:
  - Rest: Avoid activities that exacerbate pain.
  - Ice: Apply ice packs (15-20 minutes, several times a day) to reduce swelling and pain.
  - Compression: Use a compression bandage to minimize swelling.
  - Elevation: Keep the injured limb elevated above the heart.
- Pain Management: Modalities like TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) can help with pain relief.
- Gentle Passive Range of Motion (PROM): If tolerated, very gentle, pain-free movements of the joint to prevent stiffness.
- Avoid Stretching: No active stretching of the injured muscle in this acute phase.

Phase 2: Subacute/Repair Phase (Days to Weeks)

Goal: Promote healing, restore pain-free range of motion, and begin gentle strengthening.
Interventions:
- Heat Therapy: Once acute swelling has subsided, heat can be used to promote blood flow and muscle relaxation before exercise.
- Gentle Active Range of Motion (AROM): Progressing from passive to active, pain-free movements.
- Gentle Static Stretching: Introduce very gentle, sustained stretches of the injured muscle, holding for short durations, ensuring no pain.
- Light Isometric Exercises: Gentle muscle contractions without movement (e.g., pressing against an immovable object) to activate the muscle without putting undue stress on the healing fibers.
- Light Resistance Exercises: Gradual introduction of resistance with very light weights, resistance bands, or bodyweight exercises as tolerated, focusing on controlled movements.
- Manual Therapy: Gentle soft tissue massage to reduce muscle spasm and promote blood flow; possibly gentle joint mobilizations if adjacent joints are stiff.
- Proprioceptive Exercises: Early balance and coordination exercises to re-educate the nervous system and improve stability.

Phase 3: Remodeling/Strength & Endurance Phase (Weeks to Months)

Goal: Restore full strength, endurance, power, and flexibility; improve functional capacity.
Interventions:
- Progressive Resistance Training: Gradually increasing the intensity, resistance, and complexity of exercises. This includes:
  - Concentric and Eccentric Strengthening: Eccentric (muscle lengthening under load) exercises are particularly important for muscle tissue remodeling and injury prevention.
  - Plyometrics : Jumping and hopping exercises for power development, but only once adequate strength and stability are achieved.
  - Dynamic Stretching: Introducing dynamic movements that mimic sport-specific actions.
Advanced Proprioceptive Training: More challenging balance and agility drills.
- Sport-Specific Drills: Gradually reintroducing movements and activities relevant to the patient’s sport or occupation.
- Cardiovascular Conditioning: Maintaining overall fitness with low-impact activities (e.g., swimming, cycling) that do not stress the injured muscle, then progressing to higher-impact activities.

Phase 4: Return to Sport/Activity Phase (Months)

Goal: Gradual and safe return to full activity, minimizing the risk of re-injury.
Interventions:
- Graduated Return-to-Sport Protocol: A structured progression back to full participation, starting with light training and gradually increasing intensity and duration.
- Ongoing Strength and Conditioning: Maintaining muscle balance, strength, and flexibility.
- Technique Correction: Addressing any underlying biomechanical flaws or poor movement patterns that may have contributed to the injury.
- Injury Prevention Education: Emphasizing proper warm-up, cool-down, nutrition, hydration, and listening to one’s body.

Advanced Techniques that may be used by a Physiotherapist:-

Dry Needling: Insertion of thin needles into trigger points within the muscle to release tension and improve blood flow.
Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM): Using specialized tools (e.g., Graston technique) to break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions.
Taping: Kinesiology taping or supportive bracing can provide support, reduce swelling, and facilitate muscle activation during rehabilitation.
Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Training: Applying a tourniquet to a limb during low-load exercises to mimic the physiological effects of high-load training, useful for early-stage rehabilitation when heavy loading is not possible.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Working Hours

Mon - Sat: 9:00AM to 8:30PM
Sunday: 9:30AM to 7:30PM

Call Us

+91 8090080906
+91 8090080907
+91 8866991000