Article
Do you feel like your muscles are always tight? Do you wish your muscles would relax so you could enjoy some rest? Muscle tightness is quite common, and it may come as a surprise how simple and effective treatments can be in resolving muscle tightness.
The feeling of stiffness and tightness in muscles can lead to signs and symptoms such as cramping, muscle pains, joint pain, and limit your ability to go about typical daily chores. In some cases, the pain and symptoms felt from “muscle tightness” may actually originate from a different source. A study from The Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation examined the stiffness of the hamstrings in relation to patients with low back pain. They concluded that the restricted range of motion in the hamstrings was not caused by muscle stiffness, but rather a decreased stretch tolerance. Stretch tolerance can increase the more an individual stretches and conditions their body to that range of motion.
In some cases, yes. However, the common tendency to immediately turn to stretch in an attempt to relieve the symptoms felt could have the opposite effect. In certain cases, this could end up making the problem worse. If there is neural tension stemming from a herniated disc or other condition in which a nerve is compromised, stretching could actually aggravate that nerve and increase the intensity of the symptoms. Your genetics could possibly lead to muscular stiffness, such as collagen malabsorption or mis-production, stretching may worsen the problem.
The solution to the relaxation of tight muscles depends on the cause of the stiffness. Common factors contributing to muscle tightness as well as their recommended solution are:
The symptoms associated with muscle tightness can range from slight to severe. Our Physical Therapists at Virginia Therapy and Fitness Center are educated in the solutions to muscle tightness and understand the pain may lead to functional limitations in daily life. Our therapists will personally assess you, educate you on the situation, then lead you through resolving your symptoms to achieve your goals and move toward a pain-free lifestyle.