how can I heal a strained muscle?
97609
If she is not on any other medications that are for arthritis, and she is not on blood thinners, she can take Ibuprofen or Alleve.  Heat should be applied to the muscle 48 hours after the initial injury (before that you use ice).  However if she is doing things to continue irritating it, she should use ice at the initial time she is irritating it.  If it doesn't get better soon, she might consider physical therapy.
163993
If you recently started working out it's probably a pulled muscle. But if it's getting worse instead of better you need to see a dr.
918292
pulled muscles just need rest.....dont push it.....let it heal up.......\n\nhigh protein diet will make it heal faster.....also try heat and cold therapy....those icyhot creams and patches work pretty well......\n\nwhatever you do dont put full explosive force on it......that will make it much worse....you might even tear it.....\n\nfor example if its a hamstring.....dont sprint EVER or it will be extremely painful and take much longer to heal......
559088
Get a neck/back rub done. Dont go for medication. \n\nYour nerve is tense, only a massage will help. Medication will temporarily dull the pain but will not cure the problem. \n\nYou need to get a physical massage done to help relieve the muscle.
31849
First you have to warm up with a little of cardio like jumping jacks or running because the muscles are still stiff and you need to "warm them up".  This prevents strains.  Well, then after that you can stretch.
972645
Disclaimer:  Do not perform these exercises unless cleared by an MD or PT.  Do not perform these exercises if they increase your pain or cause other symptoms to occur.\n\nPrayer stretch:\nKneel on your hands and knees.  Keeping your hands where they are, sit back on your heels (keep your head down).  You should feel this stretch along the mid back and the sides of the torso.  To concentrate on one side only, walk your hands over to the left and then the right.\n\nGenie stretch:\nSeated or standing, hold your arms out in front of you and grab your elbows with the opposite hands.  Gently pull as if pulling elbows apart.  You should feel this stretch across the mid back and shoulder blades.\n\nDoorway stretch:\nStand in an open doorway with your forearms against the frame.  Put one foot through the doorway and lean forward.  You should feel the stretch across the chest and shoulders.  To change this stretch, you can lower or raise the height of your arms.\n\nChair Rotation stretch:\nSeated in a chair with arms, turn your torso as if trying to see behind you.  You can put your hands on the arms or back of chair for overpressure.  You should feel this stretch on the sides of your torso.\n\nNeck stretch:\nPlace your right hand behind your head and bend your head to the left.  You can place your left hand on your head to apply GENTLE overpressure.  Also try this while looking down to the left.  Repeat to other side.  You should feel this stretch along the side and back of the neck.\n\nAll stretches should be performed 3-4 repetitions, 20-30 seconds, 2-3 times a day.
424137
Depends on why they are sore.\n\nYou can work through the IDOMS (Induced Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness or Syndrome... one of the two) that you get about a day after you've exercise a new muscle group. Take it easy though so you don't tear anything. Jogging is a good way to get rid of these (get some blood going through em!)
622716
Well, I will actually try to answer you (as if you never thought of going to the doctor, oy).  I had the same thing for a long time, it was a taekwondo injury.  When I ran, it killed me for a couple of days (and this was *after* 3 months of physical therapy, which I'm convinced made it worse, and ice and heat and more ice and heat).  The thing that helped me most was honestly yoga.  I did it on and off for years before the injury and just picked it up again.  I have never felt better.  Deep tissue massage did nothing for me what lengthening and strengthening the muscle did.  Go easy at first, and if it feels okay, try a little more.  I can now run again (after about 4 years) with no repercussions at all.  I'm healed!  Good luck and feel better!
125615
Yes, and it hurts like hell! Just alternate heat and ice every 20 minutes, and it will help a lot. I did this by powerwalking. It takes a while to heal. My doctor put me in a walking boot so I could continue to walk. Just be patient!
380809
After 5 days the swelling should be down. When the "pulled" muscle occurred you should have alternated with heat and cold. I also suggest you do it now for approximately 15 minutes at a time 2-3 times a day. Also depending on how severe the "pulled" muscle is you may need some physio therapy. Did you see a physician yet???
348553
Take Ibuprofen and apply ice to affected area, but only leave the ice on for about 20 min every 1 or 2 hours, this will reduce swelling and pinching of the muscle and nerves. good luck
545438
your muscles get sore because of the build up of lactic acid in the muscle fibers.\n\nwhen you use your muscles to perform activities such as playing basketball, the fibers perform anaerobic respiration, which is a form of respiration which uses no oxygen. the product of this kind of "energy usage" is lactic acid.\n\nthe best way to rid of the pain is to rest your muscles to let the muscles dump the lactic acid build up. try applying a liniment containing menthol on the area that hurts to help soothe the pain. \n\nif after a few weeks, and the pain is still there, and there is excessive swelling, go to a specialist immediately. you might be looking on something worse, like a ripped muscle fiber.\n\nto avoid excessive muscle strain and pains like this, try stretching first before performing any strainous activity like basketball.
425906
protein - will heal the muscles, and you will recover faster - lots of water, avoid sugar - really avoid sugar- avoid soft drinks, avoid candy - eat fresh fruit for energy - bananas have the potassium you need for sore muscles too - \n\nYou can find a book on "food as medicine" which will add a whole lot to what I posted. \n\nStretching sore muscles also helps them - and if all esle fails, when you go back to practise - you will feel a lot better once the muscles are worked up again.. no matter how sore you are keep working out - as this does take the soreness away too.
631221
It's a long process I am going through the same thing.  Take a lot of IB profen it's good for inflammation.  Go to the gym and work your quads, eat bannanas.  Lay on your back put your hurt leg in the air and try to bend it down as much as possible.  It's going to hurt you have to try to get over the pain.  Every time you bend it try to make it go lower and lower.  This will help but you have to work with it and do everything your told to do.
794918
Depends on diet and rest. Drink lots of water, avoid carbonated/diuretic drinks, and even though it's painful, stretch as much as possible. Also, be sure to get a good night's sleep! After three days, even if it still aches, still run again! Take an aspirin before hand, stretch, and warm-up your muscles before doing so. After 10 minutes you won't feel it and you will maintain a certain pace for your body to remember ensuring a quicker recovery time. Keep it up! After your first week you won't hurt anymore.
913102
First tell yourself that the aches will get better the more you exercise as long as you are doing it properly.\nHeating pads and cool packs do good.\nhomemade cool pack:\n1 part water\n3 parts rubbing alcohol (higher % if you can find it)\nPut in ziplock baggie and freeze....it will not be solid, more like gel\nplus it is reusable and cheaper.\n\nEpsom Salt Baths do great to.\nOr talk to your Dr if you have the money and get a tens unit....you would be amazed how that helps.\n\nJust stretch it out before and after exersizing  to keep from getting stiff. Much luck to you!
38127
What is the cause of the aches? Usually tired and overworked muscles respond best to heat. If the aches are not due to pulls or tears, warm up your body with a hot shower. Before bed take an asprin, jump in a warm shower and do light stretches while your muscles are warm. Dress warmly for bed.