STRAIN is an injury to a muscle or tendon in which the muscle fibers tear as a result of overstretching. A strain is also known as a pulled muscle.

There are 3 grades of strain –

• Grade 1 strains usually cause stretching of a few of the muscle fibers.
•  Grade 2 injury is more significant damage.
•  Grade 3 injury is a complete rupture of the muscle.

SYMPTOMS:-

• Pain
• Swelling
• Muscle spasms
• Limited ability to move the affected muscle

CAUSES

• Slipping on ice
• Running, jumping or throwing
• Lifting a heavy object or lifting in an awkward position

GOALS OF PHYSIOTHERAPY

• Improves pain through advanced modalities
• Reduces inflammation
• Reduces spasm
• Reduces tightness
• Increases strength resisted band exercises
• Alignment correction through manual therapy
• Taping technique
• Laser therapy for instant pain relief

SPRAIN 

Sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments. The Ligaments are tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect two bones together in joints. The most common location for a sprain is in ankle.

The grading system for sprain injury are –

• Grade 1 sprains stretch fibers of the ligament.
• Grade 2 sprains are injuries where part of the ligament is torn.
• Grade 3 sprains are when the ligament is completely torn or ruptured.

Symptoms:-

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Limitation in the ability to move the affected joint.
• Hear or feel a “pop” in affected joint

Causes

It occurs with the overextending or tearing of ligament. It occurs in the following circumstances:

• Ankle — Walking or Exercising on an Uneven surface
• Knee — Pivoting during an athletic activity
• Wrist — Landing on an outstretched hand during a fall
• Thumb — Skiing injury or over extension when playing sports, such as tennis

GOALS OF PHYSIOTHERAPY

• Improves pain through advanced modalities
• Reduces inflammation
• Reduces spasm
• Reduces tightness
• Increases strength resisted band exercises
• Alignment correction through manual therapy
• Taping technique
• Laser therapy for instant pain relief