Injuries Unpacked #12: Muscle Strain

Anatomy

Skeletal muscles are made up of elastic muscle fibres that are bundled together and wrapped in connective tissue. Each skeletal muscle consists of different tissue types. These tissues include the skeletal muscle fibres, blood vessels, nerve fibres and connective tissue. Each tissue type has an important role and is vital in helping our bodies work the right way.

Muscles all work together by contracting and relaxing, which assists us in moving our body. Skeletal muscles also helps in stopping us from moving, like resisting against gravity and maintaining posture. Another important function is that they assist in preventing excess movement of our joints to maintain stability and preventing structural damage.

Risk Factors

Sudden heavy lifting
Overuse
Muscle tightness or fatigue
Failure to warm-up properly
Strength imbalances
Previous muscle strains

Mechanism of Injury

When a muscle is moved too far in one direction, or excessively loaded eccentrically (whilst being lengthened), the muscle fibres can break either partially or completely. Different muscles around the body can be injured in all different ways. Here are a few examples of ways that common muscle strains can occur:

Hamstring – An injury to the hamstring muscle (back of your thigh) can occur from rapid muscle contraction, like sprinting or jumping, or a violent stretch, like kicking a football with your leg going too high.
Calf – An injury to the calf muscle can occur during sudden bursts of acceleration.
Quadricep – An injury to the quadricep muscle (front of thigh) can occur from kicking.
Groin – An injury to muscles in the groin can occur from changing direction, kicking and jumping.

There are 3 grades to a muscle strain. Knowing the grade assists in guiding your rehabilitation and gives a better understanding of healing time.

Grade 1 – stretching, small tear
Grade 2 – larger, but incomplete tear
Grade 3 – complete tear

What can a physio help with?

Seeing a physiotherapist soon after your muscle injury can assist you in starting your road to recovery the right way. They can help with:

Assessing and diagnosing the extent of the injury.
Explain to you the prognosis of your injury and discuss with you treatment options.
Provide you with a tailored strengthening program to get assist you in getting back stronger than ever
Ensure you are ready to return to sport or normal activity safely!

Image credit: https://www.coachmag.co.uk/health/8608/muscle-strains-how-to-avoid-and-treat-pulled-muscles, https://www.popsci.com/what-makes-muscle-pull/ & https://www.antibodywear.com/hamstring-injuries-symptoms-treatment/

Send Message

12 week challenge

Posted in Exercise on 4 February 2022

12 week challenge Some of the team decided to get fit and try out a 12 week challenge, after a lot of hard work we have some outcomes! Ollie was knocked out of the race early with a clavicle fracture but did make an appearance for the before and after shots. Kittani made strength gains […]

“It’s been 7 years….. why does my sprained ankle still not feel right?”

Posted in Uncategorised on 13 August 2021

A quick look at our stats for the past few months revealed that we’ve seen an average of 6 new ankle sprains per week here at STC, so there’s a good chance that you know a Canberran currently nursing a sore and swollen (c)ankle. Lateral ankle sprains have historically been one of the most common […]

What to Expect at a Nutrition Consult

Posted in Uncategorised on 1 July 2021

By Kristen Kizer, Accredited Practising Dietitian I think most people would agree seeing a dietitian sounds like a good idea, even if they have no idea what happens during a session. I assume most people think we give out meal plans. Maybe we try to take away all the fun in your diet or convince […]

Online Services Now Available

If you are not certain which of the above-listed rehabilitation services and treatments will best meet your specific requirements, please contact us to schedule an in-person consultation with one of our professionals. Over the years, we had the opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients, all who arrived with a specific problem that required a strategically-designed physiotherapy treatment plan.

Telehealth

STC has adapted to the COVID-19 crisis:

For those that do not need hands-on treatment or are in the vulnerable person category, we are now offering online physiotherapy and online classes, which are claimable via your health fund rebates.

We are still offering face to face physiotherapy services for those with significant musculoskeletal pain or post-surgical rehabilitation, this may change if the crisis escalates.

Make an enquiry Book online

Exercise Classes

We are offering several classes online including Pilates and Mums & Bubs post/antenatal rehabilitation. We’re able to facilitate varied online classes, so if you’re more comfortable with conducting your rehab from home, let us know and we’ll arrange to have you dialled in online to a class.

View classes Book online