Muscle strain occurs when muscle fibers tear or are damaged, causing pain, swelling, and sometimes bruising. Treatment involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Strains can be caused by trauma or overuse and are classified into three grades. Prevention includes warming up and stretching before exercise and avoiding overloading muscles. Severe strains may require surgery.
A muscle strain occurs when muscle fibers tear or there is some other type of muscle damage, which generally occurs when a muscle is stretched too far from its natural state. Sometimes known as a muscle strain or muscle strain, a strain can often be quite painful. While this may be a common sports injury, this can happen when attempting everyday activities. Treatment usually consists of rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), but in severe cases, the muscle may need to be surgically repaired.
The most common symptom of a muscle strain is pain in the affected area. It will most likely cause pain when a person tries to move the injured muscle, and it may also be nearly impossible to move. Other symptoms include redness, bruising and swelling.
A strain usually occurs when the muscle is overloaded in some way. An acute strain is typically caused by some sort of trauma to a muscle, such as something hitting the muscle or a person lifting something that’s too heavy. A chronic strain usually occurs when a muscle is overused, such as by repetitive movements.
Tight muscles are generally classified into three grades. A Grade I muscle strain is generally considered the least severe and often there will be only a few torn muscle fibers. Grade II muscle strains are usually a little more severe, and although more muscle fibers are torn, the muscle is not torn completely.
Mild to moderate strains usually don’t require much more than RICE treatment and can take anywhere from a couple of days to several weeks to heal. Resting the injured muscle right away is considered very important, as it can stop any further damage. Ice wrapped in a towel and applied to a tight muscle for 10 to 20 minutes at a time can reduce swelling in the area, as well as compression, which is usually achieved by wrapping the injured area in an elastic band. Elevating the area near or above heart level will also reduce swelling.
Although RICE treatment is also recommended when the muscle completely tears or grade III muscle strain occurs, surgery may sometimes be necessary. During this surgery, a surgeon will go in and repair the torn muscle. This can take up to a few months to heal.
Warming up and stretching your muscles before exercising can help prevent strain. These activities will help increase circulation to the muscles in the body. Also, people who do not participate in sports or exercise regularly should not try to overload their muscles. Trying to do too much at once can cause muscle fatigue.
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