What’s The Difference Between Sprains Vs Strains

You’ve probably often heard the terms muscle sprain and muscle strain used interchangeably.

However, there is a difference.

Sprains affect your ligaments, which are connective tissues that connect your bones to your joints.

On the other hand, strains affect your muscles and tendons, which connect your muscles to your bones.

Both injuries can happen in similar circumstances.

Understanding the difference between the two can help you identify and manage your injury effectively.

Our physical therapy clinics specialize in pain management and sports injuries.

Muscle sprains and muscle strains are similar injuries that have similar symptoms, but today we want to discuss the key differences between them.

Keep reading to learn more.

What Does A Sprain Feel Like?

While referred to as a muscle sprain, a sprain is actually an injury to the ligaments, not the muscles.

Ligaments are connective tissue that are responsible for connecting bones to a joint and help support and stabilize your joints when you move.

Sprains typically occur when you suddenly twist a joint, causing it to stretch past its normal range of motion.

This can cause ligaments to excessively stretch or, in more serious cases, tear.

Sprains can occur from sports injuries, as well as daily movement and physical activity.

Common symptoms of a sprain include:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Localized pain
• Diminished flexibility
• Diminished range of motion

The most common joints that are affected by sprains include the:

• Knees
• Wrists
• Ankles

With a ligament sprain, pain is localized around the affected joint and often feels sharp, especially when you try to move it.

The area around the joint will have more prominent swelling.

A ligament sprain can cause the joint to be restricted in its mobility and may even make it feel weak and loose.

You might also feel a popping sensation or sound when you injure your ligament, which is then followed by pain and swelling.

What Does A Strain Feel Like?

Muscle strains are injuries that cause your muscles or tendons to overstretch or extend past their normal range of motion.

Tendons are connective tissues that connect your muscles to your bones.

A muscle strain can cause damage to your muscle or tendon fibers.

Muscle strains can occur during physical activity, as well as while performing daily activities.

One of the more common types of strain is a repetitive strain injury, where a muscle, tendon, or nerve is strained from overuse.

This can lead to tendinitis in your biceps or wrist tendinitis, as well as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Common symptoms of a strain include:

• Muscle spasms
• Swelling
• Limited flexibility
• Limited range of motion
• Pain around the affected joint

When you have a muscle strain, you may have spasms in the affected muscles.

You may feel pain within the muscle itself or at its connecting point to a bone.

While the pain can initially feel sharp, it typically turns into a dull ache over time.

Your muscle may also swell and have bruising that can spread all along the length of the muscle.

You may also have a tearing feeling when you experience a muscle strain injury.

Depending on the severity, muscle strains may cause muscle weakness or reduced functionality, especially if there is pain.

What Causes Sprains And Strains?

Sprains and strains can commonly occur from everyday activities.

However, there are particular situations that can make you more likely to experience one of these injuries.

Some common causes of sprains and strains can include:

• Exercise
• Athletic activities, like running
• Poor form while lifting heavy objects
• Prolonged repetitive motion
• Sitting or standing awkwardly
• Overexerting your body
• Accidents, like falling or slipping

What Puts You At Risk For Sprains And Strains?

While a sprain or strain can happen to anyone at any time, there are certain risk factors that can increase your risk of experiencing one of these injuries.

Risk factors can include:

• Fatigue
• Not properly warming up before physical activity
• Using improper equipment for physical activity
• Lack of physical conditioning
• Wet, icy, or slippery surfaces

Accidents can happen, but there are things you can do to reduce your likelihood of experiencing a sprain or strain.

Here are some tips to help you prevent these injuries:

• Stretch before physical activity
• Ensure you’re using proper equipment
• Regularly exercise
• Maintain proper form while exercising
• Stay hydrated
• Wear appropriate footwear
• Rest and recover between physical activities
• Be mindful of your environment

How Can Physical Therapy Help For Sprained Ligaments?

When you experience a ligament sprain, your first approach is RICE therapy.

RICE stands for:

• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation

Rest to let your affected joint heal, ice it to reduce swelling and inflammation, compress it with wraps to provide support and help manage swelling, and elevate it to increase blood flow.

If you feel pain in the affected joint, over the counter pain
relievers can be effective.

Depending on the severity of your injury, a physical therapist can help in your recovery process.

Physical therapy can help restore functionality in your affected joint, as well as strengthen the surrounding muscles.

There are numerous ways in which a physical therapist can help you when it comes to a sprained ligament, such as:

• Pain management
• Functional training
• Improving range of motion
• Strength training
• Balance training
• Manual therapy
• Preventative strategies
• Applying and using wraps and braces
• Monitoring progress and recovery

How Can Physical Therapy Help With Strained Muscles?

Similar to a ligament sprain, if you experience a muscle strain, start with RICE therapy.

This can help prevent the injury from getting worse and allow it to start the healing process.

As your injured muscle begins to heal, physical therapy can help you strengthen it and restore your flexibility.

Physical therapy can help provide guidance during your rehabilitation process and, in more serious cases, prevent the development of chronic issues associated with the injury.

Physical therapy for a muscle strain can help with:

• Pain management
• Improving flexibility
• Improving range of motion
• Strengthening exercises
• Education on proper form
• Manual therapy
• Functional training
• Preventative strategies
• Rehabilitation programs
• Bracing or taping

Book Your Appointment With Capitol Physical Therapy Today

Sprains and strains are common injuries that can cause you frustration and interrupt your daily activities.

But know that there’s help available to you.

At Capitol Physical Therapy, we offer physical therapy solutions for a wide range of conditions and injuries.

Book your appointment with Capitol Physical Therapy today, to find out how we can help you.