What’s the best treatment for a torn muscle?
Regardless of your lifestyle and profession, you use your muscles from the moment you wake up in the morning.
As your day begins, you may find yourself taking on a variety of physical activity. For example, if you work as a mover or construction worker, you are always on the go.
Even if you’ve avoided muscle-related health concerns in the past, you never know what could happen in the future. A torn muscle could come about when you least expect it, thus causing quite a bit of pain and discomfort.
If you suspect a torn muscle, here are some first aid tips to follow:
- Ice the affected area to minimize swelling
- Elevate the muscle when possible
- Use over-the-counter medication to control pain and swelling
- Get enough rest, as you need to give your muscle time to recover
Along with the above, you’ll want to seek medical treatment. This is the only way to fully understand the extent of your injury.
For example, your doctor may order an imaging test to get a closer look at the muscle. In the most severe cases, your injury may require surgery.
A torn muscle is every bit as painful as it sounds, with this injury capable of putting you on the shelf for many weeks (or longer).
If you suffer a torn muscle on the job, report the incident to your employer and then learn more about the workers’ compensation system. If you’re unable to return to work right away, you may be able to receive compensation until you make a recovery.
Source: Healthline, “First aid for muscle strains,” accessed March 13, 2018