Muscle Strains

Muscle strains usually arise from fatigue, over-exertion or over-extension of a particular muscle group. They are more common in the hip, leg and shoulder. When the muscle fibre becomes injured, a tear appears in the muscle structure. The area is typically inflamed and the body lays down a bridge of scar tissue to try and facilitate healing, but the quality of this scar tissue is usually weak and stiff. Physiotherapy treatment initially focuses on reducing inflammation through rest, ice, compression anti-flammatories and ultrasound. Once the inflammation has settled, the scar mass is usually broken down with firm massage so that better quality tissue can be laid down in its place.

This is accompanied by a specificexercise program aimed to increase the strength and flexibility of the injured muscle.