Muscle Strain

Strained Muscle Symptoms And Treatment

Muscle strain is an umbrella term used by the general public to denote pain caused by muscular damage. In many cases, people will use the term strained muscle even though a more specific injury may have occurred like a muscle pull or a muscle tear. The term muscle strain is also often applied to damage to the tendons that attach muscles to bones, although these might sometimes be more correctly described as muscle sprains.

A strained muscle occurs when fibers of the muscle tear or separate from each other. The severity of the muscle strain depends on the number of fibers that break.

A strained muscle often happen in one of two ways.

• A sudden, violent force or impact that stretches the fibers of the muscle or tendon beyond their normal limits.
• Gradual, repetitive use or overuse of the muscle.

Sometimes, the small blood vessels near damage muscle break, causing local bleeding that results in bruising or "black and blue" marks. Damage to nerve endings in the area can also result in muscle pain.

Strained muscle symptoms

Pain is the first and most obvious symptom of a strained muscle. The pain may occur when you're at rest, or when you're using the muscle. Other symptoms include

Swelling and inflammation are also strained muscle symptoms.

Bruising or discoloration can cause classic "black and blue" marks. Redness may also be possible.

There may also be pain in the joints near the muscle, especially when those joints are being used.

The muscle may feel weak when you try to use it. In some cases it may be too painful to use at all.

Muscle strain treatment

The first step in muscle strain treatment is determining the extent of the injury. If the muscle is completely torn, surgery may be needed, and it will take longer to regain full use.

Usually, your doctor will be able to diagnose your case without laboratory tests. But X-rays or imaging may sometimes be appropriate.

Once a muscle strain is diagnosed, your doctor will probably recommend self-care that includes any or all of the following therapies:

• Applying ice packs. Be sure not to place ice packs on bare skin: place a towel or a cloth or some kind under it. Physical therapists and doctors usually recommend applying ice approximately 20 minutes every hour while you're awake.
• Once swelling has decreased, you can try placing a heating pad on the area. Be aware, however, this may bring back some of the swelling or discomfort.
• Keep the muscle in a stretched position, but be careful not to overextend it.
• Your doctor may prescribe NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like aspirin and ibuprofen for muscular pain relief.
• Avoid any activity which risks injuring the muscle again.
• Try using compression from an Ace bandage or similar product, but make sure it's not so tight that it cuts off circulation.
• Elevate the injured area. This will help reduce any swelling.
• Follow your doctor's recommendation about using a cane or crutches.
• Exercise the injured area as recommended by your doctor or physical therapist.

Most of the time, muscle strains - and the muscle pain that accompanies them - cure themselves with time, treatment and rest. Depending on the severity of the original injury, many people can resume normal activities in a matter of a few weeks.

Also see our articles on muscular pain and muscle pain relief.