Imagine going through your daily exercise routine, and you're suddenly struck with severe pain. You might think you've fractured a bone or torn a ligament, but the likely culprit is simpler.

It's probably a muscle injury.

Of course, you should visit your healthcare provider when you experience sudden pain. If you have a bone or ligament injury, an orthopedic team can walk you through the treatment process.

But what is the protocol for treating a muscle injury? Keep reading to learn more about the causes, treatments and recovery strategies for this condition so you can resume your active lifestyle as soon as possible.

What Causes Muscle Injury?

Even when we're not in the middle of a workout, our muscles are still working. Our quadriceps help us stand up from a chair, our calf muscles engage when we stand on tiptoes, and our shoulder muscles activate when we reach for our phone. Our muscles are seldom fully at rest.

Common muscle injuries occur when we pull or stretch our muscles a bit too far. Tears appear within the fibers of the muscle, causing inflammation and pain. In some cases, you can pinpoint exactly what happened, but other muscle injuries can occur when we're simply going about our daily lives.

Overuse also causes muscle injuries. Future muscle injuries are more likely if you're training too hard or trying to work through a previous injury.

Your age also impacts your risk of muscle injury. Older people are at higher risk of muscle injury.

Most muscle tears are small and can be treated at home with ice, rest and anti-inflammatory medication. However, more severe and painful muscle injuries may require you to visit a doctor, especially if the injury occurred in an accident rather than from overexertion.

What are the Different Types of Muscle Injury?

Most muscle injuries affect the legs and hip area. However, any muscle in the body can be injured, and the degree of severity differs. Let's take a look.

Laceration

When a muscle is severed from the tendon or separation occurs within the muscle, it's called a laceration. This is the most severe type of muscle injury and usually results from a car or industrial accident.

Pain is immediate and often severe. You may also experience numbness, tingling or loss of movement in the area. In this situation, a visit to your physician or the emergency room is recommended.

Contusion

A contusion happens when you receive a strong blow to a muscle. For example, a horse kicking your thigh may result in a contusion. You can expect pain and extensive bruising.

Your doctor might order an MRI or ultrasound to assess the level of the injury and an X-ray to ensure your bones aren't affected.

Strain

Muscle strain is common for people at levels of exercise. Professional athletes and neighborhood walkers can both experience muscle strain. During a strain, your muscle stretches beyond its capability, causing soreness and pain upon movement.

Three Levels of Severity in Muscle Injuries

Most healthcare providers specializing in orthopedics, sports medicine or physiotherapy assess muscle injuries at three levels of severity. These categories help determine the best course of treatment.

Mild

Mild muscle injuries are most often classified as strains. Only about 5% of the muscle is affected, meaning you'll experience soreness, but it should subside within a few days.

Moderate

A moderate muscle injury affects up to 30% of the muscle fibers. Swelling, pain and limited movement accompany the injury.

Severe

A severe muscle injury involves a tear. 100% of the muscle fibers are affected, pain and swelling increase, and loss of motion is significant.

Recovering From a Muscle Injury

If you're experiencing any muscle injury, it's important to speak with your healthcare provider. They can advise you on the immediate steps to relieve the pain and determine if your injury needs further assessment.

Fortunately, most muscle injuries heal over time. However, some muscle injuries require a bit more care during the recovery process.

Mild Muscle Injury Recovery

When you have a mild muscle strain, the best recovery tips involve rest, ice, compression and elevation, or R.I.C.E. This means you should avoid using the affected muscle, apply ice or cold compresses as directed, use a compression bandage if needed and elevate the limb above your heart.

Although your injury may only be sore, it's important to follow your doctor's instructions. If you do too much too soon, you risk re-injury.

Moderate Muscle Injury Recovery

If you're diagnosed with a moderate muscle injury, your recovery plan will contain the R.I.C.E. protocol, but you'll probably need to allow more time for recovery. You may also need physical therapy to prevent atrophy and gradually strengthen the injured muscle.

Pain management often includes anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen but discuss your pain level with your doctor.

Severe Muscle Injury Recovery

Since a severe muscle injury may include surgery, your recovery time will increase. You'll need to follow care instructions for your surgical site and work with your doctor and physical therapist to ensure you regain full use of the injured muscle.

Recovery from severe muscle injuries can take months. You'll need to avoid deep tissue massage, drinking alcohol and excessive strain on the healing muscle. Following your doctor's instructions gives you the best chance of full recovery.

Alternative Therapies

Many healthcare providers use alternative therapies in the treatment of muscle injuries. These might include chiropractic work, acupuncture, cupping or a combination of these to speed healing and reduce inflammation and pain.

Prevention

One of the best ways to deal with muscle injuries is by preventing them in the first place. Be sure you go through a series of stretches before you exercise. Include a thorough warm-up before you begin your fitness routine and finish with a cool-down period.

If you feel unusual pain while exercising, reduce the intensity or stop altogether. If the pain persists, contact your doctor.

Learn More About Muscle Injuries

Dealing with a muscle injury is painful, and the healing process takes time. Having the support of an integrative healthcare team is critical. At Colorado Pain Experts, we offer a wide range of services to help you get back to your active lifestyle.

Click here to contact us or make an appointment.