An apparatus for sensing strain or stress includes a body including magnetic shape-memory alloy (MSMA) material, having a first axis. A first drive coil and first sensor coil are wound around the body about the first axis. The drive coil is coupled to a power source and configured to generate an alternating magnetic field on the body. The first sensor coil is configured to detect changes in inductance of the body due to changes in magnetic permeability of the body with deformation thereof.