How Long Does A Trapezius Muscle Strain Last
Trapezius muscle strain is an extremely uncomfortable condition that can make it difficult to move your shoulders in any direction or move your head without discomfort or pain. You can't even move your neck around easily. The Trapezius muscle is one of the biggest muscles in your body, and also one of the hardest-working ones. Triangular in shape, it extends across your shoulder and neck to the mid-back region. Any kind of repetitive stress on this region, such as repeated pulling or pushing, overhead lifting, or other activities, can strain the muscle and cause significant pain and disability. Here at oneHOWTO, we are going to tell you more about the condition and how long a trapezius muscle strain lasts.
Causes of trapezius muscle strain
In most cases, trapezius muscle strain is caused by repetitive activities involving the shoulders. When you perform repetitive motions with your shoulders, your tissues do not get enough time to rest, so they become inflamed and irritated. The area gets strained, causing such severe difficulty and pain that you may not be able to use your affected arm. Construction workers who have to constantly push and lift heavy materials, athletes associated with sports that repetitively use the arms, like tennis, swimming, or others, and other such individuals are at greater risk of developing trapezius muscle strain. Poor posture, prolonged desk work, or carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder can add strain, particularly alongside repeated activity.
Symptoms of trapezius muscle strain
You may have trapezius muscle strain if you have pain in your arm muscles that radiates to the back of your neck. You may also have pain in your thoracic region and your shoulder blades. Pain in your shoulder makes it impossible for you to use your hands. You may experience constant pain in your trapezius muscle area, and you may also have difficulty moving your shoulder in any direction. You may even have difficulty sleeping, as you may not find a comfortable position to rest in. You may also experience palpable tenderness and warmth in the strained area, and sometimes even swelling. Sometimes, a person with trapezius muscle strain may also have neck pain, followed by a headache. Pain may become more noticeable when you turn your head, lift your arm, or hold one position for a long time.
How long the pain lasts
Obviously, there cannot be a single answer as to how long the trapezius muscle strain lasts. It will largely depend on a number of factors, including the cause and source of pain, the lifestyle changes you make after the strain, and your body’s individual response to treatment. Once you have strained your muscle, it is important to allow the area enough time to heal. This can take from one week to 6 weeks, depending on the severity of the strain. Also make sure to stay hydrated and follow a well-balanced diet, especially during the healing period. During recovery, avoid movements that worsen the pain and return to usual activities gradually. Seek professional advice if symptoms are severe or do not improve.
To prevent this condition from appearing again, we advise you to take a look at the following article How To Stretch Neck Muscles Properly.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to How Long Does A Trapezius Muscle Strain Last, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.
Tips
- Always follow the treatment prescribed to you by a professional to help your trapezius muscle strain heal as quickly as possible.
- Strains (MedlinePlus)
- Muscle Strains: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Recovery (Cleveland Clinic)
- Sprains and strains (The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust)