18/03/2024
How to treat strained muscles
Muscle strains are a common injury, especially among athletes. Muscle strains usually manifest not only as pain, but also as bruising, limited range of motion, muscle spasms, stiffness or swelling. If the muscles are mildly or moderately strained, home treatment is usually sufficient. However, severe strains may require a visit to the doctor.
How do muscle injuries occur?
Muscle damage occurs when a muscle is excessively and strongly stretched or, on the contrary, when it contracts sharply. Such an injury is most often the result of inappropriate movement or strenuous sport.
Muscle injuries can be divided into three groups, namely strained muscles, torn muscles, and muscle spasm. Strains, tears, and muscle spasms can occur in any of the muscles. What are the differences between these conditions and how are these muscle injuries treated?
Muscle strain symptoms
Muscle strain, caused by excessive activity, means muscle pain after exercise. One or more muscles may be sore and, in addition to pain, there may be weakness and stiffness, especially after the muscle has been overloaded. As a rule, muscle soreness does not appear immediately after exercise, but with a time lag. The pain is most intense 2 to 3 days after the exercise. Strained muscles can hurt for a week, but the pain gradually goes away.
Strain can affect any muscle in your body. For example, you may struggle with a strained knee, strained back muscle, strained ankle, strained hip flexor, forearm strain, calf strain or abdominal muscle strain.
How are strained muscles treated?
Although strained muscles can be very painful, surprisingly, they are not an injury, but a natural reaction of the body to excessive muscle tension. Thus, strained muscles can usually be successfully treated at home. How? Stretching the muscles after sports and taking a shower, alternating hot and cold water, helps to relieve the soreness. Massage can also relieve the pain, either with massage rollers or massage guns, for example. Muscle recovery is accelerated by good nutrition, getting enough magnesium, and replenishing lost fluids and minerals after training. Over-the-counter ointments and gels can also provide relief.
TIP: Medicinal product Mobilat®
Mobilat® in the form of a gel is intended for the treatment of post-injury conditions, which include muscle strain. Its application reduces both pain and swelling.
Additionally, the new Mobilat® CBD gel can be applied on desired area, and with the practical tube massage into the skin for a refreshing and relaxation effect. Especially recommended after exercise or when needed
Muscle cramps
Muscle strain after strenuous physical activity can lead not only to muscle strain, but also to muscle cramps, other causes of which include fatigue, cold or mineral deficiency. What is a muscle cramp? A sharp muscle contraction that leads to pain. Muscle cramp most commonly affects the calf and thigh muscles, but it can occur anywhere on the body. Muscle cramps can range from mild to severe and typically last a few seconds to 15 minutes.
What to do in case of muscle cramps?
Everyone has experienced a muscle cramp at least once in their lifetime and wanted to get rid of the unpleasant pain as soon as possible. For muscle cramps, it helps to stretch the affected area or massage it. Applying warm compresses or ice and over-the-counter medicines can also relieve the pain.
Torn muscles
If you experience intense pain that makes it impossible to move, it is likely that a muscle tear or rupture has occurred. In the case of muscle tears, the pain is often accompanied by swelling or bruising and the area is very sensitive to touch. How does a muscle tear or even rupture occur? By stretching the muscle beyond its elastic limit and creating small or large tears in the muscle.
How are torn muscles treated?
Everyone has experienced a muscle cramp at least once in their lifetime and wanted to get rid of the unpleasant pain as soon as possible. For muscle cramps, it helps to stretch the affected area or massage it. Applying warm compresses or ice and over-the-counter medicines can also relieve the pain.
What are pulled muscles?
In the context of muscle injuries, you may come across the term "pulled muscles", which does not exist in physiotherapy. The term is often used to refer to either a muscle spasm or a muscle tear. What is the cause of pulled muscles? Most often a sudden movement, which can lead, for example, to a calf muscle strain or a sprain. In the case of an ankle sprain, in addition to the muscle strain, the ligaments connecting the bone are strained as well.
Learn more about how to treat strained muscles.
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