How can we tell the difference between Muscle Spasm or strained/pulled Muscle (s)?I've had horrible pain in the area on the left side of my Waist.It hurts when I cough,sneeze or laugh,yet don't when breathing/yawning.Do they leave residual soreness?

You might have strained/sprained something. I think of a spasm as a 'charleyhorse', intense in one pinpointed spot. Magnesium Oil applied topically takes the spasms away ASAP! You might also be cramping if it's on one side of the waist.

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"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~Immanual Kant~

Slipped rib? It is a type of sprain. Here is the diagnostic test. Give a light cough. If you are in very intense pain when you do this, that is what you have. It should go away in a week.