Either ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) should work wonders. Both are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Aspirin is a NSAID, too, but the amount you'll need to take over the course of a few days will greatly increase the chances of stomach bleeding with aspirin.
The biggest differences between ibuprofen and naproxen is the speed in which they act, and in how long they last. Ibuprofen is a fast acting drug, and will bring you relief much quicker than naproxen will. Ibuprofen also works much better at relieving fevers, headaches and migraines than naproxen. Ibuprofen is generally something you would take to quickly deal with pain such as a headache or other pain.
Naproxen is a drug that works slower than ibuprofen, but in the end will offer longer-term relief compared to the short-term benefit of ibuprofen. Furthermore, it’s much better at targeting muscle tissue inflammations (the pain caused by a sprain, arthritis, or strained muscles). Naproxen is therefore best used after a long workout, a hike, for sore muscles before bed, or for long term relief of a pulled muscle for best effect.
Naproxen goes easiest on your heart, so if you have a history of heart attacks it is better to use than ibuprofen. Several reliable studies have shown ibuprofen can have adverse effects for people who have a history of heart and liver disease, especially in long term or high dosage situations. Ibuprofen can increase blood pressure, which (in rare cases) can cause heart attacks or stroke, so if you're at risk for that, naproxen is better, anyway.
I definitely have a history of heart disease, and am on medication for high blood pressure, and my doctor says either one is fine, as long as I don't take more than the clinical dose of a max of 2400mg per 24 hours for ibuprofen or 660mg naproxen in 24 hours, or take either for more than 10 days. Obviously, if you're on any medications you should check with your doctor before taking either one.
Most of the time I take ibuprofen, but for a pulled muscle, if I sleep funny and have back pain or I can't turn my head because of neck pain, I go with naproxen because it lasts longer.
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is good for pain, but is almost useless if the cause of the pain is inflammation, like with a pulled muscle. You want an anti-inflammatory to promote blood flow. An ice pack on the muscle for up to 20 minutes at a time, several times a day will also promote blood flow, lower inflammation and speed healing. After a couple or three days, however, heat therapy works better to help break down any remaining damaged cells and increase blood flow. I admit that I rarely use ice or heat except in really bad sprains or pulled muscles. Generally a NSAID and rest (not using the muscle) for a few days does the trick.
