What are common symptoms of strains?

Common symptoms of strains typically include minor swelling and pain. A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon caused by overstretching or overexertion. When a muscle is strained, it may become inflamed, leading to localized swelling in the affected area. Pain is also a primary symptom, which can vary in intensity depending on the severity of the strain.

In this context, minor swelling and pain are indicative of the body's response to injury, as inflammation occurs to promote healing. Strains do not produce severe discoloration and bruising to the extent that other injuries, like sprains or fractures, might. Additionally, strains affect muscles and tendons rather than bones, so disruption of bone movement is not a symptom associated with this type of injury. Unlike strains, increased flexibility is not a symptom; rather, the affected muscle often experiences reduced flexibility because it is injured.