(HealthDay News) -- A pulled muscle, also called a muscle strain, is frequently caused by exercising a muscle that hasn't been properly stretched or warmed up.
Here are suggestions on what to do if you've pulled a muscle, courtesy of the Loyola University Health System:
- When you feel ready to exercise again, slowly work your way back to your previous level of activity.
- Start out with low-impact exercises such as swimming, biking, or walking.
- Stretch your muscles before exercising or playing sports.
- Ask your doctor about using support bandages to protect your muscles and surrounding joints.
- Don't resume your normal level of exercise until you are no longer in pain, and your doctor says it's safe.
