Sprain or Strain: A Guide to Recognizing Your Pain (Part 2)

In early February, we offered vital information about sprains, their common causes and symptoms in an effort to help you differentiate them from strains. Now, Total Pain Care wants to keep the knowledge flowing with the most complete information about strains. It’s our duty to provide you with the most effective pain-management techniques possible. Properly identifying your injury as soon as it happens will allow you to get the most out of our care.

Identifying a Strain

A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is pulled and either stretched or torn. You may have experienced this injury while lifting a heavy object or over an extended period of time when the muscles are overworked.

The back and hamstring muscles are the ones most commonly affected, although strains can also affect the arms and elbows. Strains can generally happen as a result of physical activities like lifting or sports such as soccer, football or gymnastics. Some of the most common strain signs include:

  • Pain in the affected area
  • Muscle spasms
  • Inability to move the affected muscle
  • Cramping
  • Swelling
  • Muscle weakness

Get Your Mobility Back

A strain can be a painful injury to deal with and one that can potentially sideline you for far too long. If this has happened to you, know that Total Pain Care can accompany you through the journey to a pain-free life. Our New Jersey board-certified pain management specialists will evaluate your injury to create a recovery plan that will lead you back to health at the pace you require.

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Category: News

  1. Ronald Amaya, PA-C is a Physician Assistant. He attended Weill Cornell Medical College and received his physician assistant degree in NYC. He has 18 years of experience in cardiothoracic surgery and over 8 years in pain management. Dr. Amaya is NCCPA board-certified in medicine and surgery.

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  2. Paulette Scott, MD is a pain management specialist. Dr. Scott is also the pain management representative at East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, Boston. She fulfilled her physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and completed her fellowship in pain management at Harvard Square Clinic. Dr. Scott is board-certified in physical medicine, rehabilitation, and pain management.

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  3. Andrew D. Bunn, MD is a pain management specialist. Dr. Bunn also serves as the co-director of East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, as well as the Program Director for Lahey Hospital & Medical Center and Newborn Services | MassGeneral Hospital for Children. After earning his medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine, he completed his anesthesia residency at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania where he also completed his fellowship in pain management. He is board-certified in both anesthesiology and pain management.

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  4. David D. Ford, MD is the Director of Pain Management. Dr. Ford earned a medical degree and completed his residencies in both surgery and anesthesiology. He joined the staff of Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Watertown in 1990. He is board-certified in both anesthesiology and pain management. Dr. Ford specializes in painful disorders of the spine and sports-related injuries. He has initiated the use of advanced interventional techniques for the successful treatment of these and other conditions.

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