Muscle Injuries Symptoms
Pain is the most common symptom of a muscle injury. In fact, for most people, a sudden feeling of tearing or stabbing is the first symptom that something is wrong. Unfortunately, there are usually no warning signs of muscle injury. When overusing a muscle, patient may feel pain at the site of injury. In most cases, it may be painful when trying to move the muscle to its full range of motion.
For more severe muscle injuries, patient may experience the following symptoms:
- Can no longer move the limb,
- Swelling or bruising around the injury, which may not appear for several days after the muscle injury.
If patient have severe pain that limits the ability to move or if the pain does not seem to improve after a few days seek for medical help.
Treating Muscle Injuries by Yourself
First thing you should do is, following the 4 steps known as RICE therapy to help bring down swelling and support the injury:
- Rest – stop any exercise or activities and try not to put any weight on the injury.
- Ice – apply an ice pack to the injury for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.
- Compression – wrap a bandage around the injury to support it.
- Elevate – keep it raised on a pillow as much as possible.
To help prevent swelling, try to avoid heat (such as hot baths and heat packs), alcohol and massages for the first couple of days. When you can move the injured area without pain stopping you, try to keep moving it so the joint or muscle does not become stiff.
Outlook for Muscle Injury
Straining a muscle is painful. But perhaps even more than the physical symptoms, it’s frustrating to have to give up favorite activities or sports for a few weeks. But the muscle needs to heal and giving it that time is the best way to ensure return to the favorite activities as soon as it’s safe to do so. Don’t be afraid to reach out to us with any questions. Just because an injury is common doesn’t mean your situation isn’t unique. We offer treatments to support your healing, so you receive full mobility and your normal activity level much faster.