Our muscles are made up by fibres which can be contracted (or shortened) in response to impulses carried by nerves. All voluntary physical movement is brought about the contraction of muscles known as “striated” muscles; other types of muscle, known as “smooth” and “cardiac” muscles are involved in unconscious processes such as digestion and heartbeat.

When we speak of muscle injuries we are referring to injuries sustained by the straited muscles, which can be injured by being forced to stretch much. This causes damage to the muscle’s fibrous tissue, which is literally torn. As a result there may be bleeding within the tissue and the muscle may become swollen.

Muscle injuries caused this way through tissue damage are common. More rarely, a muscle may be so badly injured that it is ruptured – that is, torn right through.

Symptoms:

• Stiffness and difficulty when trying to make movements.
• Tenderness and swelling at the site of the injury.
• Local pain.