You do not need to be a professional athlete to suffer from any strain, whether it is a muscle pull, muscle tear, or even damage tissue. You can lift something heavy and forget the lack of your own strength…and it happens. You can run to catch a bus one day all so suddenly…and something in your leg just strains painfully.

What is a muscle tear, actually? Is there any clue to what to do and not to do when muscle tear occurs?

About Muscle Strains:

Whether you are a professional athlete, a hard labourer, or even an ordinary person doing your normal, daily activities, muscle tear can still happen to you. Lift something heavy all so suddenly and it happens. Forcing yourself on a high-impact sport after having not exercised for so long can also cause a muscle tear.

Note to all first-starters on sports, whether it is really your first or your comeback into the gym: never, ever underestimate the benefits of a warm-up. It is even better if you consult with your doctor and gym trainer first before you start any exercise, regarding your overall health, weight, and age.

Muscle tear can happen partly or to all tendons. Since the tendons are attached to muscles, this can cause the damage to your blood vessels, local bleeding, bruising, and…yes, pain. When your nerve endings in the affected area are irritated, then it becomes painful.

What are the signs or symptoms of a muscle tear?

• The swelling, bruising, or redness right on the injured part.
• The pain that causes you to be restless, even in your sleep and no matter how tired you are.
• The pain when you try to move your body part where the muscle is torn.
• Feeling weak on the torn muscle or affected tendons.
• You cannot use the affected muscle area/your body where there is a muscle tear cannot function well…or even at all.

What to do when muscle tear?

If that is the case, then what do we do when we suffer from muscle tear? How do we know when we make it better or worse?

1. Seek immediately, medical care when:You hear a “pop” when an injury occurs, you cannot walk, and there are other more significant signs, like swelling, pain, fever, or even open cuts. Go straight to the emergency room. Have someone assist you before the doctor and nurses handle the rest.
2. Take some exam or important tests from the doctor: This is nothing like school. During the physical exam, the doctor will determine how serious your muscle tear is before deciding the next treatment(s). X-rays or lab tests might be included.
3. Home care treatment(s): take anti-inflammatory drugs or medications that do not contain steroids and do the PRICE formula (Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.)
4. Medical treatment and physical therapy: these two are required if your muscle tear is really critical. You might even have to restrict your daily activities that involve hard, physical labour.

What not to do when muscle tear:

It is easier to do what is necessary to speed up the healing process. Avoiding some things during it might be another story to some.

Well, prevention is important, so these are the things that you need to avoid while healing your torn muscle:

1. Not doing any regular stretches. In fact, regular stretches might help you to avoid further injury. Just keep them as light and gentle as possible.
2. Forcing yourself on high-impact sports. There is a reason why benchwarmers exist…and it is not always because they are not that good on the field. Sometimes you do need the break.
3. Trying to treat your muscle tear all by yourself before consulting with a doctor. You may never know how serious it could be until it is too late.
4. Using some anti-inflammatory drugs, like aspirin and ibuprofen can affect your platelet function. If you are on your period and suffer from a muscle tear, do not take these medications. They tend to increase the flow of your blood, which means your bleeding and swelling can increase.
5. If the muscle tear is in a very serious stage, like a broken bone, a fractured bone, a sprain, or a complete muscle tear, get your medical provider for all the help you need. This also applies if you also suffer from severe pain. Do not treat it as if it is just something mild and will go away after a day or two.

There are many ways to stay healthy. If you have never worked out in your life and are about to start now, consult with your doctor and trainer. That way, you get to avoid any muscle tear and can do an exercise in peace.