Being able to distinguish between a strain and a sprain is imperative when seeking treatment and doing all that you can to work towards a successful recovery. While both strains and sprains can be common injuries and impact daily activity, strains and sprains have significant differences including the causes of each, symptoms, and recommended treatment. Knowing the differences between strains and sprains can equip you with the information needed to respond timely to injury, begin the healing process, and reduce the risk of further injury. Learn more about the differences between strains and sprains, how physical therapy can be a beneficial treatment option, and how to reduce the likelihood of both strains and sprains from occurring and deterring you from daily activity in the future.
Strains and sprains are injuries that can occur when engaging in exercise, daily tasks, or other forms of physical activity. These ailments can manifest through similar symptoms, but strains and sprains tend to differ in several key ways. A strain is the overstretching or tearing of a muscle or tendon, which is the tissue between the muscles and the bones. A sprain can occur when ligaments are stressed – they can sometimes be torn or stretched out.
Knowing the difference between strains and sprains can be very helpful for determining what type of injury you may have and the best recovery practices to implement alongside the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional. Strains involve the overstretching or tearing of your muscles or tendons – which can occur in a variety of ways, like a sudden unexplained movement, direct trauma, or overworking a tired muscle that hasn’t had adequate amounts of rest to properly recover. Sprains, as mentioned previously, occur when the ligaments are torn. When both injuries occur, they can
share similar symptoms like swelling, limited flexibility, and bruising. The similarities between the two types of injuries often cause confusion for those who aren’t as familiar with anatomy. The key difference to note and understand which ailment you are experiencing depends on where these symptoms are felt. Strains impact your muscles while the sprains target your ligaments.
Being able to differentiate between strains and sprains is essential when determining proper treatment and recovery. Mishandling strains and sprains can have a negative impact, like prolonged pain and lingering complications. When experiencing the pains of strains and sprains, a healthcare professional can provide you with specific treatment strategies and exercises that can encourage healing and provide tips on how to prevent the injury from getting worse. Knowing the differences between strains and sprains can give you the knowledge needed to take charge of your recovery and manage your own injury prevention.
Now that you know the differences between a strain and a sprain, you should also know that there are preventative measures that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of a sprain or strain from occurring. When seeking injury prevention for sprains and strains, there are
several things that you can do:
Exercises like stretching can help to improve one’s flexibility and may help to reduce the risk for both sprains and strains. You should also try to incorporate a light warmup period to help your body get acclimated to the physical activity it’s about to engage in. When you try to exercise or perform strenuous activity without a warmup, injuries may occur.
Feeding your body with proper nutrients can increase muscle strength and tissue repair, which will also give you the strength to withstand injury and participate in physical activity. Your body needs proper nutrition to ensure that it has the energy it needs for all the activities you’re about to do and get a jumpstart on repairing itself after a strenuous workout
Doing so provides the support and stability needed to fully engage in physical activity. Additionally, properly fitted shoes can help to combat strains and sprains and reduce the chance of injury.
When experiencing a strain or sprain, we recommend physical therapy as an effective treatment option. The beauty of physical therapy is that PTs can craft plans and strategies that are tailored to your existing injury and goals. Physical therapy also provides patients with the information and tools needed to prevent and reduce the likelihood of future injuries. By understanding the differences between strains, sprains, and the accompanying preventative measures, you can take proactive steps to combat the risk of injury when participating in physical activity. Engaging in measures such as warming up before any physical activity, eating a well-balanced diet, and wearing the proper footwear can contribute to overall injury prevention. We also encourage you to get adequate rest while being physical active – especially at the sign of any potential injury or sign of a strain or sprain. If you are struggling with strains or sprains, look no further than Results Physiotherapy. We have a team of dedicated physical therapists who are committed to providing personalized treatment and solutions that are tailored to meet your unique needs and goals. We ae equipped with the tools and resources necessary to support and guide you on your journey to healing and recovery. Schedule an appointment with us at a physical therapy clinic near you today and take the first step towards an active lifestyle by addressing those aches and pains.
