Muscle strains
Coming to the end of the season and approaching finals is an exciting time for any sports person, from juniors all the way to professional athletes. The toll of a long season can lead to fatigue and increase the risk of a muscle strain which, if not identified and treated appropriately, can leave you sitting on the side lines.
What is a muscle strain?
A muscle strain refers to an injury to the muscle fibers. The terms strain, pull and tear are often used interchangeably.
Muscle strains often occur when there is a force applied to a muscle that is greater than what it is able to handle. This is commonly the result of a large stretch or a forceful contraction such as when running or jumping.
Some of the more common muscle strains that occur include the calf, hamstrings and quadriceps, however strains can affect a number of different muscles.
Injury to these muscles can initially cause pain, swelling/bruising, spasm, and difficulty moving the affected muscle. If left untreated, this can lead to reduced flexibility and a loss of strength.
How can physiotherapy help?
The aim of recovery from a muscle strain is to address pain and to help restore the muscle’s full strength and flexibility.
Initially your physiotherapist will assess the severity of your injury and provide you with sound advice on how to rest the area appropriately. Your physiotherapist might also use icing, taping, massage and dry needling depending on the location and severity of the injury.
In addition to this, identifying the appropriate loading that the muscle can tolerate is essential to allow for the best recovery. This will often involve your physiotherapist providing you with stretches and strengthening exercises that are appropriate for different stages of healing.
Too often muscle strains are not rehabilitated enough which can leave individuals with reduced strength and flexibility long after the pain has gone away. It is important to address these deficits to reduce the risk of reinjury to the muscle affected.
If you have been suffering with a niggle this season or are looking for some guidance around recovery before finals please call us on 6237 0045 to book an assessment.
Written by Liam Perryman (MPhysio, BExSc, APAM)