What Does a Pulled Muscle Feel Like?

A pulled muscle can often feel like a sharp pain or tearing feeling in the muscle or joint. David Patane, movement and exercise specialist and owner of Physique, says that in addition to this feeling, there are many other pulled muscle symptoms.

How do you know if you've pulled a muscle?

Check if you have a sprain or strain
  1. you have pain, tenderness or weakness – often around your ankle, foot, wrist, thumb, knee, leg or back.
  2. the injured area is swollen or bruised.
  3. you cannot put weight on the injury or use it normally.
  4. you have muscle spasms or cramping – where your muscles painfully tighten on their own.

How long does a pulled muscle take to heal?

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.

Elena Rostova

Elena Rostova

Lead Health, Wellness & Medical Journalist

Elena Rostova holds a Master's degree in Public Health Journalism. She covers groundbreaking medical research, holistic wellness trends, mental health awareness, and nutritional science.