10 ways physiotherapy can treat muscle strain
Anyone can come across a muscle strain at any time. To pull a muscle strain, you don’t have to be a sprinter or a bodybuilder.
A Chronic Pain Specialist might be recommended by your doctor, family member or friend if you have ever suffered from a muscle strain. It’s simple to take medication temporarily and control pain if you don’t have any prior knowledge.
However, Physiotherapy in Manchester can treat the symptoms and provide education about the injury to help prevent future injuries.
Muscle strains are the most common sports-related injury. Muscle strain, also called muscle tear or pulled muscles. It is often caused by muscle being stretched beyond its range of motion, due to sudden pressure. These strains are more common in the lower back, quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles. They can also be accelerated or decelerated quickly.
There are many treatments available for muscle strain. One such treatment is physiotherapy. CT Clinic’s professional practitioners can create a customized program that targets your concern.
This blog will focus on muscle strain and its management through physiotherapy.
What’s the difference between a sprain and a strain?
Although they may sound the same, sprains and strains are completely different types.
A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon, which is the tissue that connects muscle to bone. Strains can be caused by overstretching or overuse of a muscle, or by sudden forceful movements that cause the muscle or tendon to stretch or tear.
Symptoms of a strain can include pain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected muscle or joint.
A sprain, on the other hand, is an injury to a ligament, which is the tissue that connects bone to bone. Sprains are typically caused by sudden twisting or stretching of a joint, and can range from mild to severe depending on the extent of the injury.
In simple words, strains and sprains are both types of injuries that can affect muscles and joints. And they involve different types of tissue and are caused by different types of movements.
An expert physiotherapist can examine both the concerns and develop a treatment plan for you!
The benefits of physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is also known as physical therapy.
It is a health profession that focuses on pain management and movement disorders. Physiotherapy uses a variety of techniques and exercises to help patients recover from injuries and manage chronic conditions. It also helps improve overall physical health.
Below are a few benefits of physiotherapy:
1. Pain Relief:
Physiotherapy can relieve pain using a variety of techniques, including ultrasound, heat/cold therapy, and electrical stimulation.
2. Increase mobility:
Physiotherapy can help improve mobility and functionality of muscles. Using exercises and techniques to strengthen muscles, increase range and flexibility, physiotherapy can help improve mobility.
3. Injury Prevention:
Physiotherapy is a way to prevent injury by addressing weak or imbalanced areas of the body.
4. Rehabilitation:
Physiotherapy is a treatment that promotes healing, reduces pain and restores function.
5. Chronic Disease Management:
Physiotherapy is able to help with chronic conditions such as arthritis, pain, and diabetes. Using exercises and techniques can increase overall quality of living.
6. Education and Lifestyle Modification:
Physiotherapy offers advice and education to people who want to improve their health and avoid future injuries.
7. Individualized Treatment:
Each patient receives physiotherapy that is tailored to their individual needs based on their medical history and symptoms.
8. Non-invasive:
Physiotherapy is an alternative to drugs and non-invasive treatment for pain management and physical health.
Therefore, physiotherapy is a safe and effective method to improve your physical health, prevent injury and manage pain. It can improve the quality of your life and help you achieve your personal health goals!
10 ways physiotherapy helps treating muscle strain:
As discussed above,
Physiotherapy is a treatment approach that can be very effective in treating muscle strain.
Here are 10 ways physiotherapy can help with the treatment of muscle strain:
1. Therapeutic Modalities
Therapeutic modalities are a range of non-invasive techniques that can be used to effectively treat muscle strain. These modalities are often used in conjunction with other physiotherapy treatments, such as exercise and manual therapy, to promote healing and reduce pain.
The use of electrotherapeutic devices, such as ultrasound can help with the pain management in the acute stage.
2. Heat and Ice
Heat therapy is a common modality used to treat muscle strain. The application of heat to the affected area can help to increase blood flow, which in turn can promote healing and reduce pain. Heat therapy can be achieved through the use of hot packs, warm towels, or heating pads.
Whereas, cold therapy can help to reduce inflammation and pain associated with muscle strain. This can be achieved through the use of ice packs or cold towels.
3. Therapeutic Taping
Therapeutic taping is a technique that can be used to effectively treat muscle strain. This technique involves the application of a specialized tape to the affected area, which can help to support the injured muscle and reduce pain and inflammation.
Therapeutic taping works by providing support to the affected muscle. It can help to reduce the strain on the muscle and promote healing. The tape can also help to increase blood flow to the affected area, which can help to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
4. Manual or self-stretching
After muscle strain, the main goal is to restore mobility. Muscle tightness is a sign of injury. It can affect your ability to move the joint/muscle and may lead to re-injury. The stretches can be tailored to your injury and will allow you to stretch your muscles. This will increase your flexibility and range-of-motion. Self stretching and home exercises are important parts of the treatment program.
5. Strengthening Exercises
Injury-related strengthening exercises are one of the most beneficial and important parts of Physiotherapy. They allow you to maintain strength around the injured area and regain strength in the affected muscle safely. As the muscle heals, strength exercises can be carefully adapted.
Combining exercises to restore mobility, strength, and function can help you get back to work and your old activities sooner. It will also prevent future injuries.
6. Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a therapeutic modality that can be used to effectively treat muscle strain. This technique involves the application of cold to the affected area, which can help to reduce pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms.
It is used with caution, as prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can lead to tissue damage. It is important to follow proper protocols when using cryotherapy to ensure that the treatment is safe and effective.
7. Compression
The effects of compression can reduce swelling, inflammation, and improve healing. You can also use static compression with an elastic bandage to provide consistent pressure and prevent further swelling. Active compression can be used to remove fluid from the area. This action increases oxygenated blood flow, which is necessary for tissue repair and healing.
8. Massage
Massage works by increasing blood flow to the affected area, which can help to promote healing and reduce pain. Massage can also help to reduce muscle tension and stiffness, which can be common symptoms of muscle strain. In addition, massage can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation, which can be beneficial in the treatment of muscle strain.
9. Thermotherapy
To relieve pain, thermotherapy is used. You can use the hot water bottles, hot pads, electric hot pad, or warm baths to give your thermotherapy. Thermotherapy promotes blood flow and helps to relax muscles. The alternative use of cryotherapy and thermotherapy can help reduce swelling and pain caused by muscle strains.
10. Ultrasound therapy:
Ultrasound therapy works by increasing blood flow to the affected area, which can help to promote healing and reduce pain. The sound waves produced by the ultrasound machine penetrate deep into the affected muscle, causing a gentle heating effect that can help to reduce muscle tension and improve flexibility.
When to consult a physiotherapist?
If the muscle discomfort doesn’t subside within two to three days, you may need to see a physiotherapist. They specialize in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide range of injuries and conditions.
They can help to reduce pain, improve movement and function, and prevent further injury or disability.
To treat any discomfort, a physiotherapist will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan and help you achieve a good quality of life.
At CT Clinic, we offer Physiotherapy in Stockport and Manchester. We have designed an effective COPA therapy to treat all the health concerns.
Book an appointment with us now!