If you’ve ever hoisted a squirming toddler or forgotten your form during a deadlift, I’ve got a feeling you know what it’s like to pull a back muscle. What we call a “pulled” muscle in the back actually refers to one of two different injuries: 

• A sprain (with a “P”) means the ligaments that hold bones together are torn or stretched. (1)
• A strain (with a “T”) means the muscles themselves are stretched or torn. (1) 

Regardless of activity level, no one is immune to muscle strains. And what is a muscle strain? It’s damage to a muscle or tendon (AKA the tissue that attaches muscle to bone).1,2 A strain can be as mild as over-stretching and as severe as tearing in the muscle or tendon. Muscle strains are not limited to athletes, either; you can strain a muscle by lifting something too heavy (say, a box of books, or an eager grandkid). Using one muscle over and over can cause strain, as can falling, reaching, turning your head too far or too quickly... the list goes on.1

So you’ve messed up your ACL.

A painful injury, for sure, but at least you’re not alone. Every year, nearly a quarter of a million people in the U.S. and Canada injure their ACL (full name anterior cruciate ligament—try saying that after a couple of beers). Let’s take a look at why these types of injuries happen and some ACL rehab exercises to help you through recovery.

What do you think of when you hear “pull a groin muscle?” We know, we know. Nothing fun. But get yourself out of the fetal position and listen up. First, most groin strains can be treated successfully at home. Second, there are ways to help manage the pain as you heal.

Your shoulder is a complicated joint that can move in multiple directions. Because of this, it performs in almost all of your typical daily activities, including reaching for food on shelves, brushing your teeth, and getting dressed.

Pleased to meet you … guess you’ve got a sprain.

If it helps, you’re probably not alone. About two million people in the U.S. sprain an ankle every year. And although exercising regularly is good for your health, it also puts you at higher risk for an ankle sprain. In fact, it’s one of the most common injuries among people who play sports, and the most common injury for college athletes.i