Muscle Tears From Working Out

Sprains and strains are relatively common injuries. MayoClinic.com reports that while sprains involve the pulling or tearing of tendons and ligaments, strains refer to the stretching or tearing of muscles. Muscle tears can a happen in different degrees of severity. There are various treatment options and ways to prevent muscle tears, which can occur during any kind of physical activity, including working out.

Muscles

• Muscles are composed of fiber-like cell tissues, usually referred to as muscles fibers. There are different types of muscles in the body, including muscles that operate automatically or “involuntarily,” which are located within organs such as the heart and lungs. However, the muscles that are primarily associated with tearing due to physical activity are the skeletal muscles, which are located throughout the body, attached to the bones of the skeleton.

  When muscles are stretched far enough to cause minor fiber damage -- but with no actual tearing -- this is considered to be a mild strain. However, when stretched muscles incur muscle fiber tears, these are considered to be moderate to severe strains. Severe strains can not only damage nerves and tendons that are attached to the muscle, but also even tear the muscle away from the skeletal bone altogether.

Symptoms

• According MayoClinic.com, strains generally cause varying levels of swelling, pain, muscle spasms, bruising and limited mobility in the region of the affected muscle. Mild strains may be characterized by discomfort, but with minimal loss of muscle strength, reports Johns Hopkins. However, moderate strains may cause some muscle weakness and a “pulling” sensation in the affected area. A severe strain is a total rupturing of the muscle, so in addition to intense pain, feeling a “snap” in the affected region is common.

Treatment and Recovery

• MayoClinic.com reports that for immediate self-care, you should rest the affected area by avoiding activities that may cause swelling or pain; apply ice to the affected region to reduce swelling; apply firm but non-binding compression via elasticized wraps or bandages to provide support and control swelling; and elevate the affected area. These protocols are cumulatively referred to as the R.I.C.E. method.

  While the R.I.C.E. method may be sufficient care for mild strains, moderate to severe strains generally require medical attention. Depending on the degree of muscle damage, treatment for moderate to severe strains may require immobilization via a brace, physical therapy or surgery, according to MayoClinic.com. Johns Hopkins reports that while severe strains may take two or more months to heal, mild to moderate strains usually heals within two weeks.

Prevention

• According to Johns Hopkins, muscles that have been warmed up before stretching or working out are less likely to be strained. This can be done by engaging in light preliminary aerobic exercise, such as light jogging or walking. MayoClinic.com also recommends avoiding bouncing when performing stretches, because bouncing increases the risk of muscle tears.