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Back Sprains and Strains
Sprains and strains differ in that sprains are the stretching or tearing of ligaments - the tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect one bone to another. Strains are the stretching or tearing of muscles.
Sprains are commonly caused by a collision, such as commonly occurs in contact sports, or by a sudden change of direction. Parts of the body usually affected by sprains are: ankles, wrists and knees...and, occasionally, the back.
Acute muscle strains - often called pulled muscles - often occur when muscles are stretched unusually far or they suddenly and powerfully contract. Chronic strain can occur with the overuse of certain muscles over time. Muscle strains are often called "pulled" muscles, with back injuries and hamstrings "pulls"among the most common strains. The severity of the injury, both strains and sprains, should be assessed by a Health Care Professional.
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