Massage For Sprains And Strains

Welcome to 2019 everyone!  It's hard to believe that we are already in a new year!  It feels like 2018 started a few weeks ago.  I wish you all the best for you and your loved ones this year!

Sprains and strains are very common injuries.  You may have heard the terms being used before but may not have realized the difference between to two or how massage therapy can help the healing process.

Sprains and strains refer to tearing of fibres.  A sprain refers to tearing of a ligament where a strain refers to tearing of muscle or tendon.  These injuries can be caused by a variety of reasons, primarily overuse (including imbalances in the musculature), fatigue/stiffness, trauma, higher load placed on the structures that they can support, and inadequate warm up before activity.

There are levels of severity for both sprains and strains which determine:

1) How much has torn

2) How much function there is in the tissues

3) The stability of the joint

4) Compensation in other structures

5) How much swelling there are in the tissues

Massage treatment varies depending on the severity of the injury as well as the stage of healing:

Acute Phase: the tissues will be inflamed.  Treatment can incorporate ice and manual lymphatic drainage with passive range of motion to help reduce the swelling and improve the function of the structures.

Sub-Acute Phase: If swelling/inflammation is still present, focus on reducing it.  Engaging the muscles with trigger point therapy, myofascial release to break up adhered tissues, and strengthening exercises to regain stability.

Chronic Phase: similar to the Sub-Acute Phase with friction across the affected fibres and appropriate hydrotherapy applications to help loosen the structures.

Any techniques that apply a stretch to the affected joint may cause the injury to get worse.  That includes traction and stretching as well as avoiding the activity that caused the initial injury.  A referral may be given if therapy beyond the massage therapy scope of practice is indicated.  This could be if further exercise is required (physiotherapy) or if there is a rupture in the tissue (possible surgery).

I hope you found this article helpful!  Have a wonderful day and I will see you soon!

Reference:

Onofrio, J. (2015, December 01). Massage for Strains and Sprains • Massage School Notes. Retrieved January 1, 2019, from http://www.massageschoolnotes.com/massage-for-strains-and-sprains/