A muscle pull means the muscles of the upper back, lower back or groin getting injured due to a traumatic pulling of the fibers. This tearing or traumatic pulling of the fibers is known as a muscle strain.

Causes of muscle pull

• These injuries are mainly due to a sudden or abrupt movement that leads to stretching of the muscles past their point of elasticity.
• Some back strains are caused by high velocity impacts like car accident. Other types of muscle pulls are caused by repetitive strain.
• If one maintains an improper posture at a computer regularly or plays tennis with improper form, it can cause their muscles tighten. Then, something simple like reaching for a saltshaker can also cause muscle pull.
• Adding to the pain of a muscle pull, the surrounding muscles stiffen to protect the injured muscle from further harm. This causes more pain.

Cures and treatments for muscle pull

Generally it takes about six weeks to recover from a muscle pull, however you can get some relief after about three weeks. Scar tissue will continue to form past six weeks in some cases. In severe back strains it takes around a year.

• The first line of treatment is supporting and protecting the muscles. You need to help them to loosen up and reduce the pain and any inflammation.
• After the scar tissue starts accumulating, perform procedures that help in the break down the scar tissue in the muscle. It lets the muscle regain its normal flexibility and lessens the chance of further injury.
• You can treat muscle pull effectively through ultrasound, massage and gentle chiropractic adjustments.

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