Muscle Strains – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
A muscle strain happens when a muscle or tendon gets injured. Tendons are the tough fibers that connect muscles to bones.
Strains can range from mild, where the tissue is just overstretched, to severe, where the muscle or tendon tears partly or completely.
People often call these injuries “pulled muscles.” They commonly occur in the lower back and hamstrings (muscles at the back of your thigh).
It’s important to know that strains differ from sprains. Strains affect muscles or the bands connecting muscles to bones, while sprains damage the tissues joining bones together.
Treatment basics include:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
Most mild strains can heal with proper home care. However, if the strain is severe, you might need surgery to repair the damaged tissue. Always consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
Signs and Symptoms
Muscle strain symptoms change based on how bad the injury is. You might notice:
- Pain where you’re hurt
- Red or bruised skin
- Trouble moving the area
- Muscle cramping
- Swelling
- Weak muscles
When to Get Medical Help
You can treat minor muscle strains at home with rest and basic care. Contact your doctor if your symptoms get worse even with treatment.
Seek medical attention right away if your pain becomes unbearable or if you feel numbness or tingling sensations in the affected area.
Causes
Acute muscle strains often happen during a single incident, like lifting heavy objects with improper form. These sudden injuries strain the muscle beyond its normal capacity.
Chronic strains develop differently. They result from repeating the same movements many times over a period of weeks or months. This repetitive stress gradually damages muscle tissue.
Risk Factors
Contact sports like soccer, football, hockey, boxing, and wrestling can increase your risk of muscle strains. Different sports affect different body parts:
Legs and Ankles: Quick-start and jumping sports such as basketball and hurdling put extra stress on the Achilles tendon.
Hands: Sports requiring strong grips, like gymnastics or golf, may lead to hand muscle strains.
Elbows: Throwing activities and racquet sports commonly cause elbow strains.
Knowing which body parts face higher strain risks during specific activities can help you take proper precautions before participating.
Prevention
Regular stretching and strengthening exercises help lower your risk of muscle strains. These exercises should be part of your overall physical conditioning program for sports, fitness, or work activities.
Remember to get in shape for your sport rather than using the sport to get fit. This approach helps protect your muscles from injury during activity.
For those with physically demanding jobs, consistent conditioning is important. Building strength and flexibility specific to your daily movements can prevent workplace strains.
A balanced exercise routine includes warm-up activities before intense exertion and proper stretching techniques. Also, make sure to include strength training for supporting muscles and a gradual increase in activity intensity.
