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Ever felt a sudden sharp pain whilst exercising or lifting something heavy? Maybe accompanied by a popping or snapping sound? You might have experienced a muscle strain. Also known as a muscle tear, a strain occurs when muscle fibres are overstretched or overloaded. Muscle strains can happen to anyone, whether you’re an athlete or simply going about your daily activities. But help is at hand. Call us on 02 46555 5588 to make an appointment with one of our osteopaths at Completely Aligned. In the meantime, let’s take a closer look at what happens during a muscle strain and how osteopathy can help you recover.

Anatomy of a muscle

Muscles are made up of thousands of tiny fibres bundled together. These fibres contract and relax to create movement. When a muscle contracts too forcefully or is overstretched, some of these fibres can tear, resulting in a strain. Muscles that cross two joints, like the hamstrings, quadriceps or calf, are particularly vulnerable to strains.

Muscle strains can range from mild to severe, and understanding the severity is key to proper treatment.

Grades of muscle strains

Muscle strains are classified into three grades based on the extent of the damage:

• Grade 1 (mild): In a Grade 1 strain, only a small number of muscle fibres are damaged. The muscle remains largely intact, and while you might experience mild discomfort, there’s usually minimal loss of strength or movement. You might feel some tenderness, but with rest and proper care, recovery is typically quick.
• Grade 2 (moderate): In a Grade 2 strain, a larger number of muscle fibres are torn, leading to more noticeable pain and swelling. It’s in Grade 2 strains and above that your injury might be accompanied by a popping or tearing noise. You may also experience weakness in the muscle and find it difficult to move the affected area without discomfort. Bruising can appear as well, and recovery will take longer, requiring more focused treatment.
• Grade 3 (severe): A Grade 3 strain involves a complete tear of the muscle. This is the most serious type of strain and can cause intense pain, swelling, and bruising. There may be a complete loss of function in the affected muscle. In severe cases, surgery might be required to repair the torn muscle fibres, and recovery can take several months. 

How osteopathy may help

Osteopathic treatment is highly effective for muscle strains, as it promotes healing and helps restore function. Osteopaths use manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue massage and stretching, to reduce pain, improve circulation, and support the natural healing process. Additionally, osteopaths assess your posture and movement patterns to address any underlying issues that might have contributed to the strain in the first place. This may be enough to get you back to the activities you love, moving and feeling great. But if the strain is severe and surgery is required, we’ll still be here to help with pre and post operative rehabilitation. Whatever the severity of your strain, our osteopaths are here for you with tailored exercises and rehabilitation plans to help you regain strength and flexibility in the injured muscle and to help you avoid future strains.

Conclusion: A tear isn’t the end!

A muscle strain can be painful and frustrating, but with the right care, recovery is possible. Whether you’ve experienced a mild strain or a more severe tear, osteopathy offers a holistic approach to healing. If you’re dealing with a muscle injury, call 02 4655 5588 to book an appointment with one of our osteopaths at Completely Aligned. We’re looking forward to working with you towards your recovery.

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