Muscle injury occurs due to overstretching or torn muscle and it usually happens due to sudden muscle strain or muscle pull. The injury could be a result of fatigue, exertion, or improper muscle movement and can occur in any muscle. However, they are common in lower back, neck, shoulder, and hamstring and the strain can cause pain and affects the body movement in an injured area.
A muscle strain usually occurs when a muscle is torn suddenly or unexpectedly, leading to trauma. Improper warm-up, low flexibility, overexertion are the common causes of muscle injury.
Slip, jumping, heavy lifting, stiffening of the muscle during cold weathers, and sports like rowing, tennis, baseball, poor postures may also cause chronic muscle injuries.
Mild strains may cause pain and stiffness, but the muscle still holds flexibility. Mild and moderate sprains can disappear within weeks while severe sprains can take months to heal.
Muscle strain is not hard to detect. The symptoms are visible instantly.
Signs & Symptoms:
- Sudden pain
- Swelling
- Limited movement
- Bruises or discoloration
- Sores
- Blocked or tie-up feeling
- Muscle spasms
- Stiffness
- Weakness
Anti-inflammatory ointments, painkillers, and physical therapy are prescribed to relieve the pain. Severe cases may require surgery. Maintaining good posture, lift heavy objects carefully, avoiding fall, losing weight, and wearing proper shoes etc. are recommended as precautionary measures.
