During a workout, you're going to want to push yourself to the limits, constantly looking for improvements and to reach your personal best. Most often, you're waking up the day after or 2 days after feeling a little sore, but then you know for sure your workout is doing its job.

When we are doing intense workout, we push our body to its limits, and sometimes it can be difficult to tell between incredibly painful muscles that have been heavily worked out, or a pulled muscle.

Unfortunately if you can't tell if you have just pulled a muscle or overworked the muscle, you can do some serious damage.

There are a few ways that you can tell if your muscle is pulled rather than just painful. And when it comes to treatment there's a few tips below too.

If you have pulled a muscle it is likely you are going to feel a sharp stabbing pain. It will be immediately after the activity, and you know tha something feels wrong to you. A pulled muscle can also feel like a tearing, a feeling calmer, and an incredibly sharp pain at the same time.

Most after that you can tell if you have pulled a muscle if you are experiencing more than regular Tenderness in the area, and you do not have any ability to use the muscle or joint effectively.

As a final indicator if the skin feels warm where you feel the pull might be calmer or there is a not to be felt if you massage the area gently these are typically signs of a pulled muscle 

How can I treat my pulled muscle?

There are some pulled muscles that you cannot treat at home, and for others, it is a good idea to head to urgent care. The difference is the amount of pain you are in. 

If you have felt that very sharp pain as you have done something like weight lifting, it is most likely pulled. If you continue to stress and pull the muscle, you are much more likely to do some severe long-term damage, and you'll need a longer time to heal.

To reduce the swelling and the pain in the area, apply ice every few hours for the next few days. If the pulled muscle is in the ankles and knees or arms, it is also a good idea to add a compression wrap.

You should also keep in mind that the last thing you want to do with a pulled muscle is stretch it further. 

Over time the sharp pain will begin to subside, and you might be able to start with some gentle stretching again before you work on strengthening the muscles back up. and

If in a few days the muscle strain and pain does not seem to have been alleviated in a few days, it is a good idea to seek some medical advice. Try to head to a center with a sports physician within the facility. 

If you have recently pulled a muscle and are about to head into recovery, here are some ways you can help yourself: Three Ways To Look After Your Recovery.