What does a strained side muscle feel like?
An oblique injury, also called side strain, can feel like sharp pain in the rib cage the first time the oblique muscle gets injured. Over time, you may experience a sense of tightness and pressure on the lower ribs or the front side of the abdomen.
How do you treat a pulled muscle in your side?
Treatment
- Rest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort.
- Ice. Even if you’re seeking medical help, ice the area immediately.
- Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the area with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops.
- Elevation.
How do you know if you’ve pulled a muscle in your side?
Signs you have a muscle strain Bruising, swelling or redness at the injury site. Difficulty using the affected muscle. Muscle weakness. Sudden pain when using the affected muscle.
How long does it take to recover from side strain?
How long will recovery take? Simple (grade 1) muscle strains can see a return to sport in 2-4 weeks however predisposing issues may still be present. Grade 2 muscle injuries and minor bony injuries including impingement can see a return, sometimes with limitations over 4 to 8 weeks depending on the activity.
What does it mean if your sides hurt?
Side pain can be a symptom of a wide variety of mild to serious diseases, disorders and conditions, such as infection, infarction, inflammation, indigestion, trauma, intestinal obstruction, and cancer. Side pain can occur on one or both sides of the torso at a time.
Does ibuprofen help heal muscle strains?
No, in most cases anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen or naproxen) don’t help healing. In fact, in some cases it may even delay healing.
Can you pull a muscle on your side?
A tear, injury, or trauma to any of these muscles can cause a strain. The oblique abdominal muscle strain is an injury to the oblique muscles, which is also known as a side strain. A side strain is seen in athletes and can be treated with physical therapy.
How long does a side muscle strain last?
For a mild strain, you may be able to return to normal activities within three to six weeks with basic home care. For more severe strains, recovery can take several months. In severe cases, surgical repair and physical therapy may be necessary. With proper treatment, most people recover completely.
When should you go to the doctor for side pain?
Pain that is dull and lasts for more than a week. Pain that is significant and does not get better within 24 to 48 hours. Pain that worsens and either gets more severe or occurs frequently. Pain accompanied by bloating that lasts for more than two days.