Muscle Strain
A strain, commonly referred to as a 'pull' is simply a tear to the muscle or tendon (soft tissue that attaches bone to muscle). A strain is one of the most common injuries in dogs and can often be the cause of lameness, stiffness and premature ageing. Common causes of a muscle strain are over exercise or sporting injuries, where the muscle and tendon has been over stretched and contracts beyond its normal capacity.
Grades Of Strain:
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Grade 1 - Mild micro tear of a few Muscle Fibres
Grade 2 - Partial tear of muscle or tendon involving a greater number of fibres
Grade 3 - A complete rupture
Signs & Symptoms:
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​Lameness/Limping/non weight bearing
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Stiffness
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Ageing over night
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Change inCharacter - Anxious/Nervous
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Swelling/Inflammation/Bruising
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Yelping/whimpering In Pain
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Reluctance to be touched
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Coat Change
Benefits Of Massage:
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Relieves chronic and acute pain associates with a muscle strain and improves comfort levels
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Helps to reduce swelling and inflammation
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Directly remodels scar tissue to improve overall muscle function and contraction capacity
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Address areas of muscular overcompensation
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Overall Improvement of gait and posture