What causes a muscle strain?
Muscle strains can include a combination of injuries to your muscle fibers, including a pulled muscle. You can even damage the attached tendons that connect your muscle to surrounding bones. Muscle strains can occur anywhere in your body due to:
- Improper warm-ups or cooldowns
- Landing or stepping incorrectly
- Overstretching or overusing muscles
If you’ve strained or torn a muscle in the past, you’re more likely to injure it again, especially if you didn’t get proper medical treatment. This can lead to lingering discomfort and a painful muscle knot.
What are the symptoms of a muscle strain?
Muscle strains can lead to unbearable pain, especially if you have an old injury that never healed correctly and then got reinjured. You may experience:
- Chronic pain, even at rest
- Muscle weakness
- Swelling or tenderness
- Difficulty bearing weight on the affected area
To make matters worse, muscle strains can be associated with damage to small blood vessels, which can lead to bleeding and bruising.
When should I see a doctor for a muscle strain?
Because muscle strains can be associated with other injuries, including tendon and ligament damage, schedule an appointment at Metro Pain and Vein Centers as soon as your injury occurs. It’s particularly important to be seen if your muscle strain is:
- Getting worse
- Continuing to swell
- Associated with back or neck pain
- Causing decreased range of motion
You may also need medical attention for a muscle strain if you hear or feel a popping sound at the time of the injury. This could be a sign of a fracture, joint injury, or severe tear.
How are muscle strains treated?
Treating a muscle strain will depend on the severity of your injury. The team of pain specialists at Metro Pain and Vein Centers will work you to find just the right solution for your specific needs. Your muscle strain treatment may involve:
- Nerve blocks
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Wrapping, splinting, or bracing
- Muscle or trigger point injections
Generally, you’ll need a combination of therapies to help relieve muscle strain discomfort. Once you start feeling better, your dedicated pain specialist will counsel you on how to prevent future muscle strain injuries.
See what the team at Metro Pain and Vein Centers can do to resolve your muscle strain discomfort. Book an appointment online or over the phone today.
