How long does it take for a pulled arm muscle to heal on its own?
Feb 26, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lin Yunfei
Introduction
Whether a patient can recover spontaneously after a muscle strain in the arm depends on the severity of the injury. Mild muscle strains usually heal on their own, typically within about two weeks. However, if the ligament strain is severe, it generally does not heal spontaneously. In the early stage, cold compresses are recommended; after 48 hours, under a doctor's guidance, safflower oil may be applied topically and Sanqi injury medicine tablets may be taken orally to help relieve symptoms.
Whether a patient can recover spontaneously after a pulled arm muscle depends on the severity of the muscle strain.
Pulled arm muscles are mostly caused by inadequate warm-up, poor physical condition, or low exercise technique, and are typically accompanied by symptoms such as swelling, pain, and muscle spasms. For mild muscle strains—characterized only by localized swelling and pain—spontaneous recovery is usually possible, taking approximately two weeks.
If the ligament strain is more severe, self-healing is unlikely. Early treatment may include ice application. After 48 hours, under medical guidance, patients may apply safflower oil topically and take Sanqi injury medicine tablets orally to relieve symptoms. For severe pain, analgesics such as aspirin tablets, ibuprofen capsules, or diclofenac sodium tablets may be taken orally for relief.
If arm muscle strain is accompanied by明显 movement limitation, a fracture should be considered. It is recommended that patients seek timely medical evaluation at a hospital. Under physician guidance, CT scans can confirm the presence of a fracture, and treatments such as splinting or casting may be used when necessary.
