It is extremely painful when you pull a muscle and can stop us from doing our everyday things. It is important to look for care when dealing with a muscle strain as it can result in personal muscle damage if left untreated. At Symmetry Physical Therapy, we deliver high-quality, cost-effective, and outcome-oriented rehabilitation services to our patients. If you are looking for sports rehab in Tuckahoe, give us a call today!

What are muscle strains?

A muscle or tendon strain is a type of injury to the muscle or tendon. Minor injuries may cause a muscle or tendon to overstretch, whereas more serious injuries may result in partial or total tissue rips. Strains, also known as pulled muscles, are particularly common in the lower back and the muscles in the back of the thigh known as the hamstrings.

Symptoms of muscle strainsSports rehab in Tuckahoe

Depending on the severity of the injury, the following signs and symptoms may appear: 

  • Tenderness or pain 
  • Bruising or redness
  • Restrained motion 
  • Spasms of the muscles 
  • Weakness of the muscle

Causes

A single incident, such as lifting something heavy with poor body mechanics, can produce acute strains. Repetitive injuries, which occur when a muscle is repeatedly strained, can result in chronic muscular strains.

How to recover from a muscle strain

Try the R.I.C.E. technique to self-care for a muscle strain: rest, ice, compression, and elevation: 

  • Rest. Activities that produce pain, edema, or discomfort should be avoided. But don’t completely eschew physical activities. 
  • Ice. Even when seeking medical attention, ice the affected area right away. During the first few days after the injury, apply an ice pack or a mush bath of ice and water approximately 15 to 20 minutes at a time, repeating every two to three hours.
  • Compression. Compress the affected area with an elastic band until the swelling subsides. If you wrap it too tightly, it will obstruct circulation. Start wrapping at the farthest end of your heart. Remove the wrap and loosen it. If the discomfort worsens, the area becomes numb, or swelling develops beneath the wrapped area, the wrap should be removed. 
  • Elevation. Elevate the wounded area above your heart level, especially in the evening, to allow gravity to assist in the reduction of swelling.

Request an appointment

At Symmetry Physical Therapy, we provide our patients with self-management skills, injury prevention strategies, and the ability to take personal responsibility for the care regarding their injury or condition. For more information on sports rehab in Tuckahoe, visit our website today and request an appointment.