How to Identify Risk Factors for Muscle Sprains

No matter where you work, live or play, you may be at risk for muscle sprains and related injuries. Both physical work and desk jobs create opportunities to tax your muscles. Home-improvement projects or chores as simple as getting groceries can also bring on sprains. Leisure activities offer myriad ways to tear, tweak or pull a muscle. Know what to watch out for, risk-wise, so you can prevent injuries.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Knowledge of the muscular system

Identify Risk Factors at Work

1. Assess your physical work area to see if it contributes to awkward, excessive or repetitive reaching, bending or lifting.
2. Evaluate your work method. High stress, insufficient rest breaks or sitting or standing in one posture for long periods of time can lead to muscular tension, a definite risk factor for sprains.
3. Take into account the state of your health. Obesity is considered a risk factor for injury on the job, along with any condition that makes you physically unstable, including foot ailments or medications that make you drowsy.

Identify Risk Factors at Home

4. Take notice of strenuous tasks when performing daily care for any family members or pets. Lifting a heavy child or being pulled by the family dog on a leash could lead to muscle sprains.
5. Watch out for maintenance chores such as climbing on ladders and roofs. Even taking out the garbage can pose risk factors.
6. Get help carrying groceries or landscaping supplies to avoid the risk of injuring your back.

Identify Risk Factors at Play

7. Take into account your age and level of fitness. Identify risks in those areas related to conditions such as high external temperature or prolonged cardiovascular exercise.
8. Review possible risks associated with the nature of the activity, whether it is bungee jumping, football or horseback riding.

Tips & Warnings

• Sprains and strains are closely related and share some risk factors.
• Know your weight limit for lifting, and stick to it.
• Awareness is key to prevention. Note if a certain movement or lifting of excess weight gives you a strain, so you can avoid it in the future.
• Risk factors may not become apparent until an injury is received. In that case, take note of how and when the injury was caused, and consider yourself at risk for recurrence.
• Knowing that risk exists doesn't always prevent accidents. Have a self-care plan in place ahead of time.