If you’re a runner, cyclist, or triathlete, you know that muscle strains can be a real pain. You might be moving slowly, or maybe you just can’t do the things you love to do anymore. It’s not just the pain that makes it so difficult to deal with. Muscle strains can also cause many physical problems, especially if they aren’t treated quickly and adequately.
The good news is that there are several treatment options for muscle strains. We offer effective Naples muscle strains treatment options, including physical therapy and rehabilitation. Our doctors can give a detailed examination to determine the best course of action based on your specific injury. They will then offer a customized treatment plan designed to address your symptoms and get you back to full strength.
Call Naples Community Injury Center at 239-631-5445 today or schedule an appointment online.
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Muscle Strain Causes & Symptoms
Muscle strains are common injuries that occur when a muscle tears or becomes overstretched. They can be caused by strenuous running and jumping, but they can also happen during everyday tasks like lifting something heavy or reaching for something on a high shelf.
Muscle strains often result from improper form during exercise or sudden movements without warming up properly. When one area of your body is tighter than another, and you suddenly pull on it too hard while doing an activity that requires both upper and lower body strength, it can strain your muscles.
Other causes of muscle strains include:
- Repetitive movements without adequate warm-up or stretching before exercise
- Poor conditioning and physical fitness level
- Poor workstation ergonomics at work or home that requires repetitive lifting, pulling, or pushing motions with your arms and legs
- A sudden increase in training intensity or duration
- Underlying medical conditions that limit blood circulation to the affected area
The symptoms associated with an injured muscle include:
- Pain from overuse or trauma (such as falling)
- Swelling around the injured area
- Redness and tenderness around the injury site
- Pain that increases when you use the muscles involved
- Loss of function in the injured area
- Limited range of motion in the injured area
- Discoloration of the skin around the injury area
Diagnosis and Tests
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done to check for muscle weakness, tenderness, and swelling. Diagnostic tests may include:
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a type of imaging that uses sound waves to create a picture of the inside of the body. Ultrasounds can look at internal organs (like the heart, kidneys, or liver), but they can also be used to look at muscle injuries and tears.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI is a test that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to show detailed pictures of organs, bones, and soft tissues within the body. The MRI scan provides better quality images than X-rays and can show more detail about soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
What Does Naples Muscle Strains Treatment Involve?
The treatment for a muscle strain depends on the severity of the injury. If you have an acute injury, then you will need to rest and recover from your pain. This usually takes about two weeks, but there are cases where it can take longer. A chronic injury may also require rest and recovery time, but it also requires some type of physical therapy or exercise to help strengthen the muscles and prevent further injury.
Your doctor may prescribe special treatments such as:
Personal Injury Care
When you suffer a personal injury, such as a car accident or slip and fall, you can be left with lasting pain and discomfort. In addition to any medical care you may receive, it is important to get appropriate treatment for your muscle strain as soon as possible so that it does not become worse.
Workman’s Compensation Care
If your job caused muscle strain, you might qualify for worker’s compensation benefits according to Florida’s Workman’s Compensation Act (Chapter 440). This type of insurance will pay for all of your medical costs related to your condition, including physical therapy, chiropractic care, medications, and more.
Chiropractic Care
A chiropractor uses spinal manipulation or other techniques to help patients with acute and chronic pains. Many people find that chiropractic care helps relieve their muscle strains faster than other treatment methods alone.
Pain Management
Pain management techniques (such as ice packs, heat packs, and massage therapy) help reduce swelling and inflammation during the initial healing stages after an injury. Without proper treatment, swelling can cause further damage to the injured muscles.
Physical Therapy
Our doctors will recommend regular physical therapy sessions to help restore normal mobility and strength in your body while also reducing the pain associated with your injury. During these sessions, we will evaluate your progress and make adjustments as needed so you can heal faster and return to your daily activities as soon as possible.
Rehabilitation
The main focus of rehabilitation is to restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Our doctors may recommend additional rehabilitation services if you have suffered an extensive muscle strain or need more intensive care than physical therapy sessions alone.
What to Do After an Injury?
If you’re injured, the first thing to do is to stop and rest. You can then apply ice to the area of injury to promote healing. You should also see your doctor, especially if there is swelling or bruising, severe pain or tenderness, or any deformities in the injured area or if the pain does not get better with rest.
Muscle strains usually take time to heal. In most cases, this takes about three to six weeks for mild strains and several months for more severe ones. We recommend taking your doctor’s instructions seriously to enhance the chances of quick recovery.
Contact Naples Community Injury Center
If you are suffering from a muscle strain in Naples, Florida – it’s important to seek medical attention before the problem worsens and becomes more challenging to manage. Naples Community Injury Center is dedicated to helping muscle-strain patients to reclaim their normal way of life.
Our staff will examine the extent of your injury and identify any underlying causes. They will then recommend a course of treatment that meets your needs and help you return to full health. Call us today at 239-631-5445 or book an appointment and start your journey to recovery.
