Ok, so here is the scenario. Monday night, I went to work out and was feeling good, so I decided to bump up the weight that I normally work out with. Bad idea, apparently! I have pulled a muscle just under my right shoulder blade and it is causing me some discomfort (to say the least).

Other than heating pads, hot baths in epsom salt and Icy Hot, does any one have any suggestions for easing the pain so that I can be mostly functional?

Go see a doctor. lol That worked for me when I pulled a muscle in my shoulder. They'll give you something for the pain and muscle relaxers. Normally takes about a week or so to feel better. Just take it easy till then.

Try advil to. Will ease the sweeling in the muscle.

Yikes! not a good thing! I tghink Jazzmyn has it right. You can try a search on the Muscle Talk forums I also frequent at www.muscletalk.co.uk.

A doc is the best way to go, just to make sure you didn't tear anything. Other than that, he/she will probably recommend a low-dose ibuprofen schedule for a week and tell you to keep doing what you are doing.

AH, but remember one thing about Ibuprofen (or Motrin as most people know it) you need a level of it in your system before it is truely effective. So, take at least twice the normal prescribed dose when you first take it, and each following dose as ordered. That will keep you at what is called a theraputic level.

In addition to IB, those Therma-Care pads work really well. They come in different sizes & shape to accomodate the area where you are applying them to. And they will last appox. 6-8 hours at a time. Good luck & hope you feel better. :)

This may sound stupid or make no sense right now to ya, but I've always found that a continued work-out helps. Just focus on that one side, making sure your posture is ballanced. Sitting usually helps. Get about a 5 pound weight and curl it a little or do lifts. Get the muscle stiff as if it would be if you just got done working out. Again this may not sound good at all but it helps me.

I think because, The more the muscle sits still the worse it becomes. So I try to keep it active and allow it to move the way it should. Give it a try, let me know how it goes!!!

been there! go with advil or similar then ice the first day then moist heat after. depending on what you pulled it shoud take about a week. if its bad after that, i you might want to see a doctor.

good luck

Thanks all. Think I will hold off on the doctor for a bit. I'm not a big fan of pain medication other than Advil and the like.

I believe that I will go with the alternating cold/heat treatment, the Therma-Care pads and maybe a light workout.

I appreciate all of the comments.

Jasper, are you saying that instead of taking 2 Advil's, I should take 4?

I realize that this is late, but you might want to stretch it out. I had a smiilar situation like yours a couple years ago. I strained my lower back on a weight machine and could barely walk. I was in some serious pain. I ended up going to massage therapy for it, and they recommended that I stretch it. I also have to continue stretching to this day before working out or while working out to prevent from straining pulling any muscles again. To this day, I still have discomfort in my lower back somedays.

Originally posted by Shakey
Jasper, are you saying that instead of taking 2 Advil's, I should take 4?

You can safely take up to 1000mg of Ibuprofen at one time. However, most doctors, when they prescribe IB, they suggest 800mg doses every 6 hours. Since Advil is 200mg per pill, taking 4 pills is perfectly fine. Although make sure you take it with food and try not to take it for more than 5 days because it can end up hurting your stomach after a while.

Hope you are doing well :)