Strains

A muscle strain refers to an injury of the muscle or tendon, the fibrous tissue that connects your muscles to your bones. Commonly confused with sprains, which is an injury of a ligament–the tissue that connects bones to each other, strains are typically referred to as a “pulled muscle.” They most often occur in the hamstrings or back muscles, and can be debilitating and painful. Below we’ll walk through their symptoms, causes, prevention and treatment. 

Symptoms

Depending on the individual, as well as the location and severity of the injury, symptoms can vary from person to person. However, common indicators of a muscle strain include:

• Weakness
• Swelling
• Redness
• Bruising
• Pain or Tenderness
• Limited Range of Motion
• Muscle Spasms

Thankfully, mild strains can be treated at home with rest. However, if the pain persists or intensifies, or you experience tingling or numbness, consult your doctor right away.

Causes

A one time strain can be caused by a singular event, such as attempting to lift something that is too heavy. However, if you often get “pulled muscles,” it is usually due to repetitive stress to that muscle from doing the same motion over and over. Furthermore, strains most often affect those who regularly play sports.

Prevention & Treatment

While you cannot always prevent a muscle strain, there are things you can do to reduce your risk. These include stretching before physical activity, being in shape to play sports before playing them, and regular muscle conditioning. 

When it comes to treating your muscle pain, you can try to rest, ice, compress and elevate it at home to see if that helps. While ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) and sodium naproxen (Aleve) can increase your chance of bleeding, an acetaminophen (like Tylenol) can help relieve your pain. 

Additionally, for a more severe strain, your doctor may recommend you see a physical therapist to help condition your muscles. On the other hand, for worst cases, like a torn tendon, they may recommend surgery.

Muscle Strain Treatment at Minivasive Pain

At Minivasive Pain, our mission is to treat the causes of your muscle pain with the highest standards of care and quality. Our experienced team of orthopedic physicians will help determine the underlying cause of your strain, and devise a treatment plan that’s right for you, so you can get back to the joys of life in no time. Plus, we have several locations throughout the Greater Houston Area for your convenience. To schedule an appointment, please call (346) 800-6001 now.