Feeling that painful twinge in your lower back or neck can be scary. Many of us have likely experienced this feeling before, so how concerned should we actually be?

Our AFC Urgent Care Memphis team provides some helpful answers and information below, so read on.

Are All Muscle Strains the Same?

No, they aren’t. Muscle strains (more commonly known as pulled muscles) vary in severity. A muscle strain occurs when your specific muscle is overstretched or torn, and the severity of the tear or overstretched muscle varies from mild to severe.

Mild to moderate strains can be successfully treated at home with ice, heat and anti-inflammatory medications. Severe strains or tears, however, typically require medical treatment. If you aren’t sure if you’ve strained your muscle, we’ve listed some common signs of a pulled muscle below.

Muscle Strain Symptoms

• Sudden onset of pain
• Soreness
• Limited range of movement
• Bruising or discoloration
• Swelling
• A “knotted-up” feeling
• Muscle spasms
• Stiffness
• Weakness

How Am I Supposed to Know If a Muscle Strain Is Severe?

There are some tell-tale signs of a severe muscle strain. First off, a severe muscle strain is usually very painful, and many people hear a “popping” sound when they experience one. A mild strain, however, isn’t usually as painful and feels like the muscle is slightly stiff but still flexible enough to use.

The symptoms of mild to moderate muscle strains usually go away within a few weeks, but more severe strains may take months to heal. If you aren’t sure whether you should seek medical attention for your pulled muscle, we’ve listed some signs that point to necessary medical care from our AFC team below.

When to Seek Medical Treatment

• The pain doesn’t subside after a week
• The injured area is numb
• There’s blood coming from your injury
• You can’t walk
• You can’t move your arms or legs

If you’ve pulled a muscle, don’t wait to get the care you need! Visit our AFC Urgent Care Memphis center today.