Muscle strain is an injury to the muscle caused by strenuous activity. It is sometimes referred to as muscle pull. Almost anyone can put undue tension on muscles while performing his or her daily tasks.

Causes and Risk Factors

Some activities, including sport, that can increase the risk of muscle strain. It can be triggered by a sudden acceleration or deceleration and by throwing or lifting heavy objects, among other actions.

It is possible to strain any muscle that moves bones. Commonly strained muscles include the lumbar muscles, muscles of the thigh, abdominal muscles, biceps muscles, triceps muscles, adductor muscles, quadriceps muscles of the thigh, triceps muscles, calf muscles, upper back muscles, neck muscles, the intercostal muscles and muscles of the chest.

Symptoms and Signs

Swelling, bruising or redness, or open cuts as a result of the injury.

Pain in the affected muscle at rest.

Pain when the specific muscle or the joint in relation to that muscle is used.

Weak sensation of the associated muscle or tendons.

Inability to use the affected muscle at all.

Muscle spasm, muscle cramping, muscle weakness, and bruising may occur.

Diagnosis

The doctor will take the medical history of the patient and perform a physical examination. The examination is generally all that is needed for diagnosis and it can help to establish whether the muscle is torn or not.

A higher degree or grade of strain (grades 1-3) may take a longer time to heal, require a possible surgery and a more complicated recovery. X-rays, CT, MRI or laboratory tests are often not necessary unless there is a history of trauma or evidence of infection.

Treatment

Muscle strain typically involves varying degrees of injury to tiny blood vessels. The effects of swelling or local bleeding into the muscle can best be managed early by applying ice packs to close the blood vessels and by maintaining the strained muscle in a relaxed, stretched position.

Heat can be applied to further relax the muscle when the swelling has lessened. Always use a protective covering such as a towel between the ice or heat and the skin. Protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (known as the PRICE formula) help the affected muscle.

Continue reading
https://www.nigerialog.com/health/how-to-manage-muscle-pull-or-strain