Osteopathy Treatment for Muscle Strains and Spasms
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What is a muscle strain?
A muscle strain occurs when a muscle or tendon (the tissue connecting muscles to bones) becomes injured. This can range from a mild overstretching to a more severe tear in the muscle or tendon.
These injuries are often referred to as "pulled muscles" and are most common in the lower back and hamstrings (the muscles at the back of the thigh). They can also affect the ankles, elbows, and hands.
What are the symptoms of a strained muscle?
Signs and symptoms will vary depending on the severity of the injury, and may include:
- Pain or tenderness
- Redness or bruising
- Limited motion
- Muscle spasms
- Swelling
- Muscle weakness
What causes a muscle strain?
Acute strains: Sudden tears or overstretching of a muscle, often caused by a single incident, like lifting a heavy object with poor posture.
Chronic strains: Result from repetitive stress or overuse, such as when you do the same motion over and over (e.g. swinging a tennis racket repeatedly). This leads to small, repeated injuries that eventually add up to a strain.