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Muscle Strains

Muscle strains are prevalent, painful injuries that can be treated at home with ice, rest, and over-the-counter medications. However, if you’re unable to move a part of your body as usual, it’s essential to see a healthcare provider immediately.

By Able Health I Medically reviewed by Dr. Alireza Estedlal

Page last reviewed: February 2024 I Next review due: February 2026

What is a muscle strain?

A muscle strain occurs when one of the muscles is injured, resulting in a tear. This is the most frequent injury affecting athletes. Strains are categorised into three grades to signify their severity. Most individuals can recover using non-prescription medications, basic home treatments such as ice application, and resting the muscles. If pain persists for several weeks or symptoms worsen after the injury, you should consult a practitioner.

What is the difference between muscle strains and pulled muscles?

There is no difference between strained muscles and pulled muscles. Both terms refer to the same injury, and people use them interchangeably. A torn muscle also describes the same problem. All these terms imply the same kind of injury with similar signs and treatments.

Muscle strain vs. hernias

While both muscle strains and hernias can result from overuse, they refer to distinct injuries. Muscle strains occur due to tears in muscle fibres. Unless serious, a muscle strain can be treated at home with ice, rest, and over-the-counter medication.

On the other hand, hernias occur when an internal organ or another body part protrudes through the muscle wall or tissue holding it in position. Usually, hernias don’t resolve on their own, and surgical intervention may be required to correct them.

A muscle strain and other injuries

Many common injuries can lead to muscle pain, which is synonymous with a muscle strain. These include:

  • Herniated discs
  • Pinched nerves
  • Blood clots

If you feel sharp, sudden pain in any part of your body, particularly during physical activity, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional.

Who can get muscle strains?

Everyone is prone to muscle strains. However, they are more common among athletes and active individuals. Those who don’t engage in sports or exercise frequently are still at risk of muscle strain, particularly if they abruptly overexert themselves more than usual.

How common are muscle strains?

Muscle strains are highly common and among the most prevalent injuries that individuals incur daily.

How does a muscle strain affect my body?

A muscle strain arises when a muscle is torn. They are usually painful and can result in additional symptoms, such as muscle weakness and bruising.

Muscles are composed of thousands of tiny fibres entwined together. When you contract your muscles, these fibres tend to stretch and press against each other to enable body movement. Therefore, when muscles are overused, the muscle fibre strands are pushed past their limits, leading to tearing. You’ve probably experienced this if you have tried to use an old bungee cord to hold something in place.

Generally, muscles are like a bungee cord. When new and healthy, bungee cords are stretchier. However, prolonged use or a sudden hard strain can cause the flexible fibres to start pulling apart. This is similar to muscles; strains occur when some muscle fibres are overstretched and torn.

Muscle strains can affect any part of your body. The common areas include:

  • Hamstrings
  • Biceps
  • Calves
  • Chest
  • Back
  • Abdominal (abs) muscles

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of a muscle strain?

Muscle strain symptoms usually include:

  • Pain
  • Difficulty moving the affected muscle as usual
  • Muscle weakness
  • Bruising or discoloration
  • Swelling
  • Muscle spasms

What causes a muscle strain?

Muscle strains occur when muscle fibres tear. Common causes include:

  • Overexertion: Repeating similar motions during sports or work can result in overuse syndrome.
  • Failure to warm up or stretch before exercising: Stretching helps progressively increase the stress placed on your muscles.
  • Poor flexibility: Inflexibility causes muscles and fibres to tighten, increasing the risk of strains.

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Diagnosis and Tests

How do healthcare providers diagnose muscle strains?

To diagnose a muscle strain, your provider will conduct a physical examination. Be sure to provide details about what you were doing when the symptoms first occurred. Since muscle strains result from physical activities, you should inform them about what caused your injury.

Muscle strains are categorised into the following grades depending on severity:

  • Grade 1: Mild
  • Grade 2: Moderate
  • Grade 3: Severe

What tests are used to diagnose a muscle strain?

For severe muscle strains, your provider may recommend imaging tests to assess the injury:

  • Ultrasound: This enables the doctor to examine tears or fluid accumulation near the strained muscle.
  • MRI: This allows the doctor to look for tears, blood clots, or internal bleeding.

Additionally, these diagnostic tests can be used to check if the injury has damaged surrounding tissues such as ligaments or tendons.

Management and Treatment

How are muscle strains treated?

Many cases of muscle strains can be treated with home care approaches, such as:

  • Resting: Avoid the activity that led to the strain to prevent further muscle damage.
  • Ice: Place an ice pack or apply a cold compress to the affected area for about 10 to 15 minutes per hour during the first day. After that, apply ice packs every 3 to 4 hours. Ensure the ice is wrapped in a towel or cloth to avoid direct skin contact.
  • Elevation: Keep the damaged muscle raised above your heart, if possible.

Muscle strain surgery Muscle strain surgery is rarely a treatment option. However, in severe (Grade 3) strains, it may be necessary to correct the injured muscle. The doctor will inform you of the type of surgery required and what to expect.

What medications are recommended to treat muscle strains?

Over-the-counter NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® and Advil®), aspirin, or naproxen (Aleve®), are commonly recommended for muscle strains. Avoid using NSAIDs for over ten consecutive days unless advised by your provider.

Prescription drugs, such as muscle relaxants, are rarely used to treat muscle strains. Your doctor will inform you of the medications to take based on your symptoms.

How soon will I recover?

Based on the severity of the muscle strain, you will likely feel better within a few weeks. Ensure that you consult your doctor before resuming any vigorous physical activity.

Resuming exercise or engaging in sports before the muscles have fully recovered increases the risk of re-injury, potentially causing more damage than the initial strain.

Prevention

How can I prevent muscle strains?

You can successfully prevent muscle strain by stretching and warming up before exercising. An increase in general flexibility helps protect the muscles against future damage. The more flexible you become, the greater the capacity your muscle fibres have to stretch without tearing.

This is similar to how some fabrics are more flexible than others. The reason your favourite jeans have a lot of flexibility is that you have worn them over the years. Conversely, a new pair may need to be stretched several times before becoming comfortable. The muscles in your body function similarly. The more you steadily stretch and work them, the more give and flexibility they have while moving.

Outlook / Prognosis

What are my expectations if I have a muscle strain?

You can expect a complete recovery from the injury. Once the muscle heals, you will regain full strength and be able to move properly.

While individuals with more serious strains may experience prolonged symptoms such as muscle weakness, this is usually uncommon.

How long does a muscle strain last?

The duration of a muscle strain depends on the damaged muscle and the severity of the strain. Many cases recover within a few weeks with appropriate home care.

Will I have to miss work or school due to a muscle strain?

There is no need to miss school or work if you can perform your duties without stressing the injured muscle. Consult your healthcare provider to determine which activities should be avoided during recovery. It’s also important to check with them before resuming any strenuous activities.

Outlook for a muscle strain

The prognosis for a muscle strain is generally positive. However, once you have incurred a muscle strain, you are at a higher risk of re-injury in the future. Ensure that you warm up before playing sports or working out and allow your body to rest and recuperate after vigorous activities.

Living With

When should I contact my healthcare provider?

You should contact your healthcare provider if you experience severe symptoms such as intense pain. Also, if your pain persists after several weeks of home care, it’s important to seek medical assistance.

When should I visit the emergency room?

Seek emergency care immediately if you develop any of these signs and symptoms:

  • Bleeding in or near the strained muscle.
  • Inability to move a part of the body.
  • Persistent or worsening swelling.

What questions should I ask my provider?

  • Which muscle have I strained?
  • How long should I rest my muscles?
  • What grade of strain have I sustained?
  • Which activities should I avoid while recovering?

A Note from MD.co.uk

Straining your muscles can be very painful. Nonetheless, the frustration of giving up your favourite sports or activities for several weeks may be more unbearable than the physical discomfort. Giving your muscle enough time to heal is the ideal way to ensure that you can resume doing what you love once it is safe. Never hesitate to call your doctor and ask questions. Even if a muscle strain is common, don’t assume that your case is not unusual.