Therapy for Muscle Injuries

Whether a person has been training for years or is just starting, muscle injuries are bound to happen. People who do not exercise also prone to such injuries. Certain measures can help prevent or mitigate the severity of a muscle injury. But anyone who lifts weights or plays sports eventually will injure a muscle. Fortunately, there are a number of therapies for muscle injuries. The therapy is dictated by the type of injury.

  1. Types Of Muscle Injuries

    • Strains and pulled muscles comprise most muscle-related injuries. Strains are caused when the muscle fibers tear from overstretching them. Pulled muscles are considered more severe strains. Other muscle injuries can include bruising, detachments and those related to fractured bones. All muscle injuries can be treated, even the most severe ones.

    Therapy For Muscle Injuries

    • Muscle strains, pulls and bruises usually require what is called RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation). Anyone who injures a muscle should not work out or use that muscle until the inflammation and pain subside. Ice can help reduce inflammation, swelling and bruising. Ice is administered by compression. This simply means that ice needs to be pressed against the injured muscle for about 20 minutes. Ice therapy then can be repeated every hour, as needed, for the same length of time. People can apply the ice pack manually or with tie-on packs. Ice never should be applied directly to the skin. Elevation will help control swelling by preventing blood from surging into the affected area.

      Heat works well for some injuries. Wrenched lower backs often can be completely healed within a day or two with hot baths or heating pads. Heat usually stimulates blood and loosens the muscle fibers. Heat usually is not recommended within the first 48 hours. Ice always is used first, however lower back injuries may be the exception.

      Anti inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can reduce swelling and control pain. They often are used in conjunction with ice treatment. Swelling is just the body's natural reaction to muscle injuries as blood contains healing properties. Pain is the muscle's warning system. It means the muscle requires rest.

      Corticosteroids can be used if muscle injuries persist. Many athletes get cortisone shots as a quick recourse for returning to the playing field. There also are oral corticosteroids such as prednisone that can reduce swelling and foster the healing process.

      If muscle injuries become more chronic, deep tissue massage (i.e. Swedish massage) can help loosen muscles, relieve tension, alleviate the pain and increase mobility in the injured muscle. Lymphatic massage can help drain the lymph nodes of harmful toxins, which also affect pain. Toxins are highly abundant in muscles affected by fibromyalgia.

      Vitamins and minerals also are used to treat and prevent muscle injuries. Magnesium is used by the body for muscle relaxation. Sometimes muscle pain can linger because of an overbalance of calcium, which contracts muscles, and magnesium.

      Chiropractors and physical therapists often are used for muscle injuries. Chiropractors can manipulate bones and employ certain equipment to promote healing. And physical therapists assist the injured with exercises to improve mobility and strengthen the affected area.

      Muscle pain may be much more serious in nature. Detachments typically require surgery. Muscle injuries from fractures need to be reset.

    Preventing Future Muscle Injuries

    • Stretching muscle groups before working out can help prevent many injuries. Stretching can alleviate taut muscle fibers and prepare them for rigorous activity such as weightlifting or sports. You should maintain a regular stretching routine. Many lower back injuries can be prevented by spending 3 to 5 minutes per day performing simple stretching exercises.