This article is about the injury. For other meanings, see strain.

A strain is an injury which occurs to a muscle in which the muscle fibers tear as a result of overstretching. Strains are also known as pulled muscles. The equivalent injury to a ligament is a sprain.

Typical symptoms of a strain include localized pain, stiffness, swelling, inflammation, and bruising around the strained muscle.

Whiplash is a specific type of strain to the neck and upper back.

Strains can happen to anyone and are certainly not restricted to athletes; people have strained muscles pulling on trousers. Nevertheless, people who play sports are more at risk of developing a strain.

See also

• Repetitive strain injury

Traumatology | Injury