Pulling a muscle can be painful and frustrating. It can happen while playing sports, lifting something heavy, or even moving the wrong way. When it happens, it might feel hard to move and can disrupt your day.
This article will help you understand urgent care for a pulled muscle. We will talk about advanced treatments provided by urgent care centers and how they can help you.
1. Immediate Pain Management
Addressing your pain will be the immediate priority when receiving urgent care for a pulled muscle. Health providers may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. These will help manage mild to moderate discomfort. Ice packs might also be applied to reduce swelling and soothe the affected area. Doctors will typically advise applying ice for 20-minute intervals for the first 48 hours following the injury.
For more severe pain, a short-term prescription solution or localized pain relief may be recommended. This includes measures like topical analgesics, for example.
2. Proper Diagnosis
To treat your injury the right way, the doctor needs to figure out how serious it is. At the urgent care center, they will ask you questions about how you hurt the muscle. You will also need to describe how bad the pain feels and what movements make it worse.
Additionally, they will check the sore muscle to see if it is swollen or tender. They may ask you to move it in certain directions to find out how much you can move it without too much pain.
If the injury seems serious, they might use tests like X-rays or ultrasounds. These help the doctor check for other injuries that you cannot see on the outside. A proper diagnosis is crucial, as it ensures you get the best treatment and avoid worsening the injury.
3. Rest and Compression
Urgent care facilities emphasize the importance of rest. Avoiding strenuous activities and giving the muscle enough time to heal are essential for recovery.
Medical professionals might recommend compression bandages. They provide additional support and reduce swelling in the injured area. The use of elastic bandages or wraps can stabilize the muscle and prevent additional injury.
Urgent care providers will also coach you on how to wrap the area properly. This is to ensure maximum benefit without impairing blood flow.
4. Physical Therapy Referrals
If the injury is more serious, your doctor might suggest seeing a physical therapist. Physical therapy can be very helpful for getting your muscle back to full strength.
Therapists use special exercises to improve the way your muscle moves, build strength, and make it flexible again.
Urgent care centers often work with physical therapists and can give you a referral to a trusted provider. Starting therapy early can speed up your recovery and lower the chances of hurting the muscle again. It is a key step in making sure your muscle heals safely and completely.
5. Heat Therapy
Once the swelling has gone down—usually after 2 or 3 days—heat therapy can help you feel better. Using heat on the injured muscle improves blood flow, making it easier for your body to heal. Heat also loosens up stiff muscles and helps you relax.
Urgent care providers can guide you on the safest and most effective ways to use heat, so you get the most benefit.
6. Muscle Relaxants
If your muscle feels very stiff or if it is spasming and hard to control, your doctor might suggest muscle relaxants. These are medications that help calm tight muscles, which can help your muscles recover.
Doctors only prescribe them for a short time to keep you safe from any side effects or dependency. These medicines can make a big difference if regular pain relief is not enough.
7. Personalized Treatment Plans
Not all muscle strains are the same, so the care you receive should fit your situation. At an urgent care center, the team will look at the specifics of your injury. It is vital to understand the cause of the injury along with any factors surrounding it.
They will also consider your overall health to create a treatment plan just for you. This personalized care helps you recover in the best way possible. Additionally, this approach reduces the risk of new injuries down the road.
8. Education and Prevention Advice
One of the major benefits of visiting an urgent care center is learning preventative techniques. The healthcare team will educate you on proper stretching and warming up before physical activities. They will also explain how to have good posture to avoid muscle strain in the future.
Prevention is just as important as treatment. Taking the time to understand your body’s limits and learning exercises can reduce your risk of recurring strains.
Efficient Urgent Care for a Pulled Muscle in Rochester, NY
Dealing with muscle strain can be physically and mentally taxing. However, prompt and professional care can make all the difference. At Cornerstone Urgent Care Center, we provide rapid and compassionate treatment for a wide range of issues. We can provide urgent care for ankle sprains and general muscle strains.
With a team of dedicated healthcare providers and a commitment to patient care, your health is in good hands. We are open seven days a week, even on holidays, to ensure you receive the care you need, when you need it. Walk-ins are always welcome at Cornerstone Urgent Care Center. Call us at (585) 207-0088 if you have any questions. Alternatively, you can send us a message to inform us that you’re on the way.
We look forward to serving you!
Sources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22336-muscle-strains
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-strains/symptoms-causes/syc-20450507
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-strains/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20450520
