Sprains vs. Strains

Injuries of muscle, tendon, and ligaments are among the most common complaints clients may carry, and they are among the most satisfying things massage therapists can work with. First let's distinguish between a strain and a sprain..

Strain (Tendon or Muscle)
A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon in which the muscle fibers are damaged as a result of overstretching. Strains are also known as pulled muscles. The equivalent injury to a ligament is a sprain. The patient is usually very aware of the strain as soon as it happens. There are different levels of strains ranging from mild to severe.

They can happen while doing everyday tasks and are not restricted to athletes. Nevertheless, people who play sports are more at risk of developing a strain due to increased muscle use.

The first-line treatment for a muscular strain in the acute phase include four steps commonly known as
R.I.C.E.


Rest: Stop all unnecessary activities, especially those that cause pain, to prevent the strain from progressing.

Ice: Apply ice to reduce swelling by restricting blood flow to the injury site. Never ice for more than 10–15   minutes at a time. Place a layer of fabric or paper between the ice and the injury to avoid freezing the skin.

Compression: Wrap the strained area to reduce swelling.

Elevation: Keep the strained area as close to the level of the heart as is conveniently possible to keep blood from pooling in the injured area.
 

Sprain

A sprain  is an injury to ligaments that is caused by being stretched beyond their normal capacity and possibly torn.

 

Ligaments are tough, fibrous tissues that connect bone to bone across the joints. Sprains can occur in any joint but are most common in the ankle.

 

Massage

 

Massage is great for sprains and strains. It can reduce adhesion and influence the direction of new collagen fibers in the healing process. it can address edema and toxic accumulations from secondary muscle spasm. Massage will also help with stiffness from the temporary loss of joint function. But most massage must be done after the acute stage has subsided. Make sure you see an experienced registered massage therapist because this is a highly technical field and not for casual experimentation.

 

 

 

Werner, Ruth. A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology. Third Edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Baltimore. 2005.