Your muscles do more than make you look good at the beach. In fact, they’re responsible for everything from walking down the street to your workout routine. Sometimes, though, putting a little too much strain on them can take its toll.

While a pulled muscle isn’t the worst injury you can sustain, dealing with muscle pain can be a huge problem. If you’ve got a pulled muscle in your back or leg, simple tasks like sitting down, standing up and walking may be difficult for you.

Use this guide to learn more about how to treat pulled muscles at home and when it’s time to bite the bullet and go see a doctor.

Most people know that ice is the most common treatment for pulled muscles on the planet. Still, many people skip the ice and go right to something else. There’s a reason ice packs are so common!

Immediately after pulling a muscle, the best thing you can do is apply ice to the area. You can use loose ice wrapped in a towel, but an ice pack will be more effective in most cases. Reapply ice every two to three hours when you’re awake for the first two to three days after suffering a pulled muscle.

Applying ice to the impacted area should help relieve pain, inflammation and help to reduce swelling.

One of the most common things people do after a pulled muscle is apply some ice and relax for the rest of the day. From there, most people go back to their usual routine even if they still feel pain when doing normal tasks.

Resting after you pull a muscle is essential. You probably don’t need to stay in bed for a week, but skipping the gym for 72 hours after a pulled muscle makes it hard for you to walk is a smart move.

Limit exposure to strenuous activity, including relatively simple things like going on long walks. Let your body heal before you get back to your normal routine.

Over-the-counter pain relievers can be very helpful when dealing with a pulled muscle. Ibuprofen is a common choice since it will reduce pain and help keep inflammation at bay.

If you do choose to take over-the-counter pain relievers, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s dosage instructions. Taking too many over-the-counter pain relievers can have consequences even if you are dealing with an injury.

At-home treatment is possible for most strained muscles, but if your injury isn’t responding to ice, rest and over-the-counter pain relievers, seeking medical attention may be necessary. Pulled muscles that won’t allow you to put any weight on the injured area should also be looked at immediately.

Visit us at Multi-Care Medical to learn more about pulled muscles and to get the help you need. With clinics in Pembroke Pines, Fort Meyers, Naples and Cape Coral, we can help you get the treatment you need in an easy, convenient location.