Welcome to our health column penned by Dr. Zingisa Nyawose, a Biokineticist based in Durban.
You could be dealing with a muscle strain, commonly known as “pulling a muscle.” This occurs when your muscle is stretched beyond its limit or actually torn. Muscles can be strained anywhere in the body, but the most common strains in running are hamstring, calf, hip flexor, and adductor strains.
These are usually caused by high-speed running, which increases the demand placed on muscles, and running on tired muscles, which also results in the reduced ability of the muscle to produce the required force. Some factors that can increase the risk of muscle strains are sudden stretching without an appropriate warm-up, tight muscles, and weak muscles, which can get overloaded during training.
The recovery period for this type of injury can range from as little as one week up to a few months, depending on how severe the strain is.
To manage a muscle strain, refrain from activities that make the symptoms worse, and do not attempt to stretch the torn muscle initially, as it may worsen the condition. Initial treatment can include rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). After the initial stage of the injury, you can then gradually introduce some stretching and strengthening exercises to prepare to get back to full functioning.
The best way is to consult a healthcare professional who will be able to determine the stage of the injury and recommend an appropriate management plan for your specific condition.
Dr. Zingisa Nyawose is a Biokineticist based in Durban Central and can be contacted at [email protected] for assistance with musculoskeletal injuries. For further contact information, visit www.mpwrhealth.co.za.
To find out more about Biokinetics or to locate a Biokineticist near you, visit www.biokineticssa.org.za.