Aches and pains are not an uncommon occurrence if you participate in exercise or sports, particularly if you adhere to the old adage about working through pain. Muscle pain can be a symptom of muscle strain, a condition that can progress to detachment of the muscle from the bone if you don't pay attention to the signals your body is sending. Stopping exercise at the first sign of strain can help you avoid serious injury.
Identification
A muscle strain occurs when a muscle stretches too far, causing fibers inside the muscle to tear. Tears usually occur when you are exercising and working the muscle, although a tear can also occur due to a blow to the muscle. Exercise-related strains often occur in lower back muscles and in the hamstring and quadriceps muscles in the thighs.
Types
Muscle strains vary in severity, depending on the amount of tearing in the muscle. If you have a mild muscle strain, your muscle may stretch and tear slightly, causing a knotting sensation in the muscle and mild pain when you move the muscle. You may feel a tugging sensation when you use your muscle if you have a moderate strain and may also experience pain, tenderness, swelling and weakness. Severe strains cause the muscle to rupture completely. If you have this type of strain, you may hear a snapping sound when the muscle ruptures. If you are experience a severe muscle strain while exercising, you won't be able to continue the exercise due to severe pain and muscle weakness.
Treatment
Doctors recommend resting if you develop muscle strain symptoms. Rest allows muscle fibers time to heal. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons advises that the muscle should be at full-strength and pain-free before you return to exercising or sports. Applying ice to the injury site and taking nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory medication will help to reduce swelling and relieve pain. If a muscle in your leg is strained, resting with the leg elevated higher than your heart will also help reduce swelling. If the strain occurs in your leg or arm, wearing a compression bandage may help to preventing further swelling after the injury. Your doctor may suggest that you begin a physical therapy program to help regain both strength and range of motion in the affected muscle.
Prevention
Muscle strains are more likely to occur if your muscles are tight, weak or fatigued. Warming up muscles before exercises can help to relieve tightness while gradually increasing the intensity of your exercise program can help safely strengthen weak muscles. It is also important to make sure that you use the proper form when performing exercises. Improper form can stress muscles and cause muscle strain.
