Strains affect your muscles . Both usually occur after a fall or sudden movement that violently pulls or twists a part of your body. Chronic overuse of muscles or joints can also cause strains and sprains.
What does a strain effect?
A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon (fibrous cords of tissue that connect muscle to bone). In a strain, a muscle or tendon is stretched or torn. Anyone can get a sprain or strain. The symptoms of a sprain include: pain, swelling, bruising, and not being able to use the joint .
What part of the body does a strain affect?
Commonly sprained areas include the wrists, ankles, thumbs, and knees . A strain is an overstretched, torn, or twisted tendon or muscle. A tendon is a tough cord of fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones. Commonly strained areas include the legs, knees, feet, and back.
What muscles are affected by strains?
Strains can happen in any muscle, but they’re most common in your lower back, neck, shoulder, and hamstring , which is the muscle behind your thigh.
What does a strain involve damage to?
A strain is an injury to a muscle and/or tendon . Tendons are fibrous cords of tissue that attach muscles to bone. Strains often occur in the back or leg (typically, the hamstring).
How long does a strain take to heal?
How long it takes for a sprain or strain to heal. After 2 weeks , most sprains and strains will feel better. Avoid strenuous exercise such as running for up to 8 weeks, as there’s a risk of further damage. Severe sprains and strains can take months to get back to normal.
How can I speed up muscle recovery?
- Rest. Rest the muscle for a few days or until your doctor gives you the okay. ...
- Ice. Apply ice to the injury for 20 minutes each hour you’re awake. ...
- Compression. Wrapping the muscle with an elastic bandage can help bring down swelling. ...
- Elevation. ...
- Medication. ...
- Heat.
Should you massage a pulled muscle?
Massage. Therapeutic massage helps loosen tight muscles and increase blood flow to help heal damaged tissues. Applying pressure to the injured muscle tissue also helps remove excess fluid and cellular waste products. A 2012 study found that massage immediately following an injury may even speed strained muscle healing.
How do you tell if a tendon is torn or strained?
- A snap or pop you hear or feel.
- Severe pain.
- Rapid or immediate bruising.
- Marked weakness.
- Inability to use the affected arm or leg.
- Inability to move the area involved.
- Inability to bear weight.
- Deformity of the area.
Which is worse sprain or strain?
Strain vs Sprain, which is worse? One is not technically worse than the other . Strains affect the tendons (an easy way to remember this is sTrains = tendons or muscles), and sprains affect the ligaments. Both tendons and ligaments are connective tissues, and both are measured by severity.
Can a muscle strain get worse?
The duration of recovery after a muscle strain will depend on the severity of the injury. Most soft tissue injuries take a few weeks to heal, but severe strains may take much longer . Trying to return to normal activities too soon can cause further injury, so always follow a doctor’s instructions and start gently.
Should I stretch a strained muscle?
Should you stretch a strained or pulled muscle? Like we mentioned above, the best thing to do for your pulled muscle is to rest it . Physical Therapist Lewis says “You would want to avoid stretching the muscle for a few days to allow the acute injury to begin to heal.
How do muscle strains heal?
- Rest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort. ...
- Ice. Even if you’re seeking medical help, ice the area immediately. ...
- Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the area with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops. ...
- Elevation.
How long does a Grade 1 muscle strain take to heal?
Mild, grade 1 injuries may require only two to three weeks before an athlete can return. More severe injuries may require significantly more time. Such a long period of lost playing time is less than ideal for professional and elite athletes, and some have advocated more aggressive treatment in this group.
What is a strain and what are two causes of strains?
A strain is caused by twisting or pulling a muscle or tendon . Strains can be acute or chronic. An acute strain is caused by trauma or an injury such as a blow to the body; it can also be caused by improperly lifting heavy objects or over-stressing the muscles.
What is the best treatment for a soft tissue injury?
Treatment involves healing the inflamed area with rest, compression, elevation, and anti-inflammatory medicine . Ice may be used in the acute phase of injury. Stretching and strengthening exercises can gradually be added to help avoid further injury.
