The symptoms of a torn muscle can vary depending on the severity of the injury, but common symptoms include pain, swelling, and bruising. You may also feel a popping or snapping sensation at the time of the injury. If the muscle is partially torn, you may be able to still move the limb, but if the muscle is completely torn, you may not be able to move the limb at all. Dealing with a torn muscle can be painful and frustrating, but by following the proper treatment steps, you can heal the injury and get back to your normal activities. Here’s what you need to do if you’ve torn a muscle.

Stop all activity

If you’ve torn a muscle, it’s important to stop any activity that may have caused the injury. This will prevent the tear from getting any worse. If you’re not at home, don’t try to walk or drive home yourself. The torn muscle may give way, which could lead to further injury. To get home, ask someone to support your weight as you hobble, or get someone to find a stretcher, wheelchair or crutches. The less you use the torn muscle, the faster you’ll recover.

Apply CBD oil

CBD oil is a natural remedy that can be used to help relieve pain and inflammation. It’s thought to work by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system. You can get cbd oil in many forms and it can be taken orally or applied topically. Many health shops sell it, and it’s easy to get online if you don’t already have any. Apply or take it at home and you should notice less pain and swelling.

Rest the muscle

Once you’re home, it’s important to rest the muscle. This means avoiding any more activity that could put strain on the injury. For example, if you’ve torn a muscle in your leg, you’ll need to avoid standing or walking, and if you’ve torn a muscle in your arm, you’ll need to avoid lifting anything. This can be frustrating, but if you don’t rest, your muscle will keep tearing and will never heal.

Ice the area

Icing the area can help reduce swelling and pain. To do this, wrap an ice pack or a bag of peas in a towel and place it on the injury for 20 minutes. Repeat this several times a day, but never apply ice directly. This will shock the muscle, causing more pain and potential skin damage.

Add heat

After the swelling has gone down, you can apply heat to the injured area. You can use a heating pad or take a warm bath or shower, which will help to improve circulation. The more blood you can get to the torn area, the more oxygen will penetrate it. This will help the muscle to heal faster and will also ease pain.

Take pain-relief

If the pain is severe, you may need to take pain medication. Ibuprofen and paracetamol are two common options, but a pharmacist can prescribe something stronger if you need it.

Visit hospital

If you literally can’t move, you’re going to need an ambulance and hospital treatment. Badly torn muscles may require stitches, which sounds gruesome, but it’s quite a standard procedure. A paramedic will evaluate your condition at the scene and give you strong pain killers. You’ll then be taken to A&E, where a nurse should be able to patch you up.

Rehabilitation

Once the muscle has healed, you can slowly start to increase your activity level to build strength and elasticity back up. However, it’s important to take things slow at first. Be sure to warm up before exercising and cool down afterward. If you experience any pain, stop immediately and rest. Physical therapy may also be recommended to help strengthen the muscle.

To conclude

If you’ve torn a muscle, it’s important to seek treatment right away. By following the steps above, you can heal the injury and get back to your normal activities.