Without muscles, the body would not move. The human body would not be able to beat the heart to pump blood, breathe, excrete waste from the body, pump lymph which is the fluid that surrounds cells throughout the body, stand and walk. Muscles also produce heat from their movements which helps to maintain the body temperature.

Nearly half of a human’s body weight comes from muscle mass. By weight, that makes the muscular system the largest of the body’s systems. It is comprised of more than 650 muscles working together.

Three (3) Types Of Muscle;

1.     Cardiac.

2.     Smooth.

3.     Skeletal.

CARDIAC MUSCLE

Cardiac muscle is the muscle tissue found in the heart. This muscle tissue allows the heart to push blood into the arteries.

SMOOTH MUSCLE

Smooth muscles aka involuntary muscles are not controlled consciously. They are controlled by the autonomic nervous system and found in and around the circulatory, lymph and intestinal systems. Smooth muscles are not attached to bones, move slowly and can stay contracted for long periods of time. They help push food through the digestive system as well as constrict and dilate blood vessels.

SKELETAL MUSCLE

Skeletal muscles aka voluntary muscles are controlled consciously to help the body move. Skeletal muscles are connected to bones with tendons therefore when the skeletal bones contract the skeletal muscles shorten and pull two bones closer together. Flexor muscles cause a joint to bend while extensor muscles cause the joint to straighten.

A Muscle Strain is an injury to either a muscle or a tendon in which a muscle or a tendon is over stretched which can result in a partial or complete tear.

MUSCLE SPASM(S) AKA MUSCLE CRAMP(S)

A muscle spasm aka muscle cramp is an involuntary contraction of a muscle. Muscle spasm(s) aka muscle cramp(s) occur suddenly, are painful and usually resolve quickly. The muscle cell runs out of energy and fluid and becomes hyper-excitable and then develops a forceful contraction.

This spasm may involve part of a muscle, the whole muscle or even the adjacent muscle(s). Muscle spasm(s) aka muscle cramp(s) may occur when a muscle is;

1.     Held in the same position for a prolonged period of time.

2.     Overstretched.

3.     Overused.

Common in athletes and construction workers due to strenuous activity.

4.     Tired.

STRAIN SEVERITY

GRADE I STRAIN

A grade I strain is a mild strain caused by overstretching or slight tearing of the muscle fibers with no joint instability. A person with a mild strain usually experiences minimal pain, swelling and little or no loss of functional ability. Bruising is absent or slight and the person is usually able to put weight on the affected joint.

Healing usually occurs within two (2) to three (3) weeks with proper therapy and treatment.

GRADE II STRAIN

A grade II strain is a moderate strain caused by partial tearing of the muscle fibers with some joint instability. A person with a moderate strain usually experiences pain, swelling and loss of functional ability. Bruising is present and the person has difficulty putting weight on the affected joint.

Healing usually occurs within three (3) to six (6) weeks with proper therapy and treatment.

GRADE III STRAIN

A grade II strain is a severe strain caused by complete tearing or rupture of the muscle fibers with joint instability. A person with a severe strain usually experiences pain, swelling and loss of functional ability. Bruising is present and requires a surgical repair of the muscle.

Healing usually occurs within three (3) to six (6) months with proper therapy and treatment.

LIGAMENTS

Ligaments are tissues that hold the bones together so the bones don’t separate when the muscles force the bones to move.

A Ligament Sprain is an injury to a ligament in which a ligament is stretched beyond its limit which can result in a partial or complete tear.

SPRAIN SEVERITY

GRADE I SPRAIN

A grade I sprain is a mild sprain caused by overstretching or slight tearing of the ligament with no joint instability. A person with a mild sprain usually experiences minimal pain, swelling and little or no loss of functional ability. Bruising is absent or slight and the person is usually able to put weight on the affected joint.

GRADE II SPRAIN

A grade II sprain is a moderate sprain caused by partial tearing of the ligament with some joint instability. A person with a moderate sprain usually experiences moderate pain, swelling and loss of functional ability. Bruising is present and the person has difficulty putting weight on the affected joint. An x-ray or MRI may be needed.

GRADE III SPRAIN

A grade III sprain is a severe sprain caused by a complete tearing or rupture of the ligament with joint instability. A person with a severe sprain usually experiences severe pain, swelling and loss of functional ability. Bruising is present and the person is unable to put weight on the affected joint. An x-ray or MRI may be needed to rule out a broken bone.