3 common symptoms of a pulled muscle

 Posted on June 19, 2018 in Firm News

Injuries can happen anywhere, in any situation, with no warning. A careless or inebriated driver might cause an accident that leaves you seriously injured. Perhaps negligence at work caused you to fall and hurt yourself. Regardless of what circumstances preceded the incident, when you sustain an injury, you should seek medical care as soon as possible and consider what legal recourse is available, too.

Many people neglect to see a doctor because they do not experience any immediate symptoms. Some injuries, including pulled muscles, become apparent through the gradual emergence of symptoms. Do not wait to see a health care provider, and be on the lookout for the following symptoms of a muscle pull.

1. Cramping around area

Sprains, pulls and cramps are all different kinds of injuries, but cramps are often symptomatic of the other two. Cramps occur when you overuse a muscle or when there is inadequate blood flow to the area in question. If your muscle is simply experiencing extra strain—as is the case when it has been pulled—you might feel the sensations of a cramp. This includes a painful tightening feeling in and around the muscle.

2. Limited ability to move

If you find that your range of movement is suddenly limited, this might be indicative that you have pulled a muscle in the area. If you pull a muscle in your neck, for example, it will be increasingly difficult to turn your head to either side. If you pull a muscle in your leg, you may have trouble walking as you normally would. 

3. Swelling and tenderness

It is not uncommon for a muscle pull to also cause swelling and tenderness in the area. If you suspect that you have pulled a muscle and find that the tissue in the surrounding area is swollen and tender to the touch, you should get help from a medical professional and be sure not to put any additional strain on the injured muscle.