Muscles strains: When you've overdone it

If a muscles is overstretched, some muscle fiber may tear. If this happens, the muscle contracts and may also swell because of internal bleeding. Occasionally, the muscle may be ruptured, or torn completely.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

The main symptom is pain when the injury occurs . The pulled muscle feel tender, may become swollen, and will not function efficiently until the torn fibers have healed. If the muscle that gradually becomes stiff, painful, and tender (often overnight) has probably been strained. In addition, a few of its fiber may have been torn.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

Almost everybody pulls, or strains, a muscle at some time. People who are active in sports are particularly susceptible to such injuries. Ruptured muscles are much less common.

In most cases recovery from a pulled muscle is quick and complete, and there is no danger of permanent loss of mobility. The older you are, the greater the damage you can do and the more slowly you recover. A strain that tears muscle, however, may permanently impair the working of the muscle unless it is successfully treated.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?

If you pull a muscle and it does not seem to be severely damaged, try the self-help measures suggested below. If you are in great pain or the affected area becomes badly swollen, consult your physician, who may be able to evaluate the extent of the injury by carefully examining the affected area.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT?

Self-help:

* Apply ice wrapped in a cloth or ice pack to the area to help prevent further swelling and to decrease the pain.

* Try not to use the pulled muscle for several days, or while pain persist.

* Bandaging or wrapping the affected area will help decrease swelling, but make sure not to bind it too tightly. This could cause further swelling, which might then interfere with blood circulation.

* Raise the injured part of your body to help reduce the swelling. Elevation also helps drain any fluid that has accumulated in the injured area.

PROFESSIONAL HELP:

Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. Your physician may prescribe pain killer. you may be advised to use crutches for a leg injury or a sling for an arm injury. In severe cases your physician therapy by the use of heating modalities such as a diathermy machine.

It is the use of high electric current to produce heat. It refers to a method of delivering core warming to deep body tissue for therapeutic purposes, a treatment that effectively warm from within rather than from outside. Heat increases blood flow and makes the connective tissue more flexible. It lessens joint stiffness, pain and muscles spasm, injuries such as sprain and strain.

As pain and swelling subside a special program of exercise may help restore motion and strength to the injured muscle.

SOURCE: PEOPLE'S TONIGHT

BY: DR. GARY SY, M.D.