Covid 19 Update

Muscle Strains

iStock_000017206254_SmallContrary to popular belief, genuine muscle strains are relatively uncommon. They occur very suddenly, on exertion, and cause a very sudden and severe pain. The most common place to experience muscle strain is in the hamstring (back of your thigh) or in your gastrocnemius (calf). If you have recently experienced a muscle strain please go to our recent injury management page and follow the instructions.

Physiotherapy can be very helpful in the early stages of muscle strain, to help control swelling and pain. Even in the early stages graded strengthening of the involved muscle is important to promote healing through a process of adaptive remodelling that uses mechanical forces (exercise dose) at the right level to stimulate the bodies repair cells (fibroblasts) to strengthen the injured tissues and build durability.

Return to exercise and sport needs to be at the correct level (dose) to reduce the risk of reinjury. Using a pain monitoring model can build confidence and fecilitate a faster return to exercise and sport.