Chiropractic Can Help Ease Muscle Strains

When patients come into my Midtown New York chiropractic office complaining of a muscle strain, they are often surprised to learn that chiropractic can help ease their pain. What is a muscle strain and how does chiropractic work to relieve it?

Muscle Strains Defined

Muscle strains occur when you pull or tear your muscle. They are usually a result of a quick or sudden movement, such as when playing a sport (which is partially why warming up is so important), or while engaged in some type of physical labor that is too demanding for your body’s current condition.

The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that the muscles that are more prone to strain are "the muscles that support the calf, thigh, groin, and shoulder." And if you do strain a muscle in one of these areas, or any other area for that matter, the result is generally pain, swelling or bruising, muscle weakness, and a limited range of motion. If it is a bad muscle strain, you may even hear a pop or feel a snapping sensation when the strain occurs.

When dealing with a muscle strain, it is often recommended that you follow the RICE method, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the affected area. However, chiropractic can help hasten the healing process as well.

Chiropractic and Muscle Strains

Chiropractic can help ease your muscle strain in two different ways. First, it works to break down the scar tissue and gets the injured fascia to release, thereby relieving some of the pressure. Second, it can also help modify the structure in the damaged area so that your body is in a better position to heal effectively and efficiently. Essentially, chiropractic not only addresses the issues with the damaged muscle tissue, but it also works on the surrounding bones and joints so that your body is fully supported in the healing process.

If you have a muscle strain and would like to help it heal more quickly and effectively, call our Midtown New York chiropractic office and schedule an appointment today. We look forward to getting you on the fast track to recovery!

References

Sprains and strains. University of Maryland Medical Center. Retrieved from http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/sprains-and-strains