Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for a muscle strain, also called a "pulled muscle." This is when a muscle gets stretched too much or too quickly, or works too hard. It sometimes makes the muscle tear. Muscles that are commonly strained include those in the back, neck, and thigh.
You might have strained your muscle during exercise or an accident.
How long it will take to heal depends on how bad your muscle strain is, your age, and your overall health.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Rest your muscle. Avoid movements or activities that cause pain. If you can, prop your muscle on pillows above the level of your heart to ease pain and swelling. Once your pain has improved, slowly increase your activity level. If your muscle starts to hurt again, rest it some more.
●Put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on the painful muscle every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and your skin. Use the ice (or other cold object) for at least 6 hours after the injury. It might help to ice up to 2 days.
●Wrap your muscle using an elastic bandage, other type of wrap, or fabric "sleeve." This helps support your muscle as it heals.
●Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●You cannot move the injured muscle because of pain.
●The pain or swelling get worse.
●You keep straining the same muscle.
●You have new or worsening symptoms.
