Top 3 reasons physical therapists can help your forearm muscle strain

Our forearms contain a lot of moving parts. Between the wrist and the elbow there are over a dozen different muscles and tendons, each with a specific purpose. But, because we use our forearm muscles for everything from playing sports to typing on a computer, they can sometimes become susceptible to muscle strain. This can cause pain in the elbows, wrists and hands.

What causes forearm muscle strain?

There are a number of factors that can contribute to forearm muscle strain. Some of the most common causes are:

• Repetitive motion — The muscles and nerves of the forearm can become stressed from repeating the same motions over and over again. This happens often in people who perform manual labor or office work. 

• Overextension — The muscles in your forearm can become strained if they are stretched too far and too quickly. This is called overextension. People who play sports such as tennis are often at higher risk for overextending their forearm muscles.

• Injury — A sudden impact to the forearm can cause the muscles to become injured, often resulting in bruising and soreness in the affected area. 

How can physical therapists help my forearm muscle strain?

Most cases of forearm muscle strain do not require surgery. In fact, many experts agree that it is best to avoid surgery, as it can cause more scar tissue to form in the affected areas. This can lead to longer recovery times as well as decreased mobility in the forearm. Physical therapy can help you treat your forearm muscle injury without the need for invasive surgery. 

Here are three reasons to turn to physical therapy for your injury:

1. Reducing pain — The pain from a forearm muscle injury can prevent you from performing well at work, participating in sports or even enjoying everyday activities. Physical therapists employ techniques such as soft tissue mobilization and muscle energy techniques to help reduce the pain as your forearm muscle strain heals.

2. Restoring mobility — A forearm muscle injury can often lead to stiffness and a reduced range of motion in your arm. Using methods like therapeutic exercise can help restore your full range of motion and flexibility.

3. Strengthening muscles — Your physical therapist can guide you through exercises and muscle energy techniques. Such techniques are designed to strengthen the muscles in your forearm. This not only helps to treat your current muscle strain, but also can prevent these muscles from becoming injured in the future.

If your injury is preventing you from participating in activities that you enjoy, it may be time to turn to a licensed physical therapist for help. At Advent Physical Therapy, our team of trained physical therapy specialists would be happy to assist you. We can help determine the cause of your forearm pain and create a custom physical therapy plan best suited to your needs.

Don’t continue to live with pain! Contact our team today for more information on how Advent Physical Therapy can help.