Muscle Strains
At East Devon Physical Therapy, we help people with muscle strains reduce pain, restore movement and rebuild strength so they can get back to walking, training, work and sport with confidence.
Muscle strains are common in both active people and those who simply move awkwardly, lift something heavy or push a little too hard. Some happen suddenly during sprinting, jumping, kicking or changing direction. Others build up after overload, fatigue or repeated activity.
We regularly help people with hamstring strains, calf strains, groin strains, quad strains and other muscle injuries affecting the lower limb.
Our role is to assess properly, explain clearly and build a treatment plan that helps you make steady, meaningful progress.
Common muscle strains we treat
- Hamstring strain: Hamstring strains often happen during sprinting, fast running, stretching or sudden acceleration. They can cause sharp pain in the back of the thigh, weakness and difficulty walking, bending or returning to sport.
- Calf strain: Calf strains can cause sudden pain in the lower leg, often during pushing off, running, jumping or walking uphill. Some people describe it as a pull, tear or sudden tightness.
- Groin strain: Groin strains often affect the inner thigh and may be aggravated by sprinting, kicking, twisting, changing direction or side-to-side movement.
- Quad strain: Quadriceps strains can cause pain at the front of the thigh, especially during running, kicking, stairs, squatting or explosive movement.
- Other muscle strains: We also assess and treat a wide range of other muscle injuries, helping people recover safely and return to normal activity with confidence.
Common symptoms of muscle strains
People with muscle strains may experience:
- Sudden pain during sport or activity
- Tightness, pulling or sharp pain in the muscle
- Pain when walking, stretching or loading the leg
- Weakness or reduced power
- Tenderness in the injured area
- Bruising or swelling in some cases
- Difficulty running, jumping or changing direction
- Reduced confidence returning to activity
Not all muscle injuries are the same, which is why a detailed assessment is important.
Our approach to muscle strain treatment
At East Devon Physical Therapy, we do not just focus on pain relief.
We look at how the injury happened, how the muscle is functioning, what movements are limited, how well the tissues are tolerating load, and what needs to change to support recovery.
Your treatment plan may include:
- A detailed assessment of the injury
- Clear diagnosis and explanation
- Advice on activity modification and load management
- Manual therapy where appropriate
- Mobility work to improve movement
- Targeted exercises to improve strength, control and tolerance to load
- Progressive rehabilitation for walking, running, work and sport
- Speed, power and return-to-sport progressions where needed
- PBM laser therapy where clinically appropriate to help calm irritation and support recovery
Our aim is to reduce pain, improve function and help you return to activity safely and confidently.
Why muscle strains can linger
Muscle strains often become frustrating when people return too quickly, rest for too long or do not rebuild strength, speed and confidence properly.
Pain may settle before the muscle is fully ready for the demands of running, sport or heavier activity. If rehabilitation is rushed or incomplete, symptoms can easily return.
That is why effective treatment is not just about settling the initial pain. It is about restoring strength, control, load tolerance and resilience over time.
Why choose East Devon Physical Therapy?
We combine expert clinical assessment with practical, evidence-based rehabilitation tailored to the individual.
Some people need help settling an acute strain and getting back to normal walking. Others need a more structured rehabilitation plan to return to sprinting, team sport, gym training or repeated high-speed movement. We adapt treatment to the person in front of us rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Our team focuses on honest advice, clear explanation and meaningful long-term improvement.
Common goals we help with
People often come to us because they want to:
- Reduce pain after a muscle injury
- Walk more comfortably
- Restore strength and flexibility
- Return to running, gym work or sport
- Reduce the risk of re-injury
- Rebuild confidence with speed and loading
- Recover properly rather than just waiting it out
What to expect
Your first appointment gives us time to understand how the injury happened, assess the affected area properly and identify the key factors contributing to the problem.
We will explain what we think is going on, what is likely to help and how to start moving things forward.
You will leave with a clear plan, not vague advice or generic exercises.
