Stiff Muscles – What to do?

At some point in life, we all have to experience the pain of stiff muscles. The condition can be recognized by tight muscles and difficulty in ­­­­­movement. Muscle cramps and pains are also some of the effects of this condition. Children are more likely to suffer from this when they get sports injuries. In the elderly however, there can be several reasons for this condition. Most of the times, muscle stiffness goes away on its own, with regular sessions of exercise and stretching.

Although you can get quick relief from visiting a professional therapist, muscle stiffness should not be taken so lightly. This condition can be a symptom, a sign that something is wrong with the body. The best option is to get an appointment with our professional team of therapists at Fairview Rehab and get relief from the pain.

Causes of Stiff Muscles

But why do muscles get stiff? What are the underlying factors which cause this condition? Let’s find out.

• The most common cause of stiffness in muscles is exercise. When the body is not used to being fairly active, even simple exercises can lead to micro tears, which in turn causes stiffness or soreness in the muscles.
• The body requires a certain amount of magnesium and calcium. These elements aid the muscles to relax and contract, respectively. You can experience muscle contractions and spasms if your body is deficient in either one of the elements.
• Been skipping on hydration? This might be one of the reasons why you’ve been experiencing stiffness in the muscles. Muscles are active tissues, which means that they require plenty of water. When muscles don’t get enough water, their ability to communicate with the brain is affected and hence, the stiffness.
• Stress can also cause the muscles to stiffen up. With multiple things on your mind, your body gears up for a fight. This causes your muscles to become stiff and eventually, soreness sets in.

Treatment Options

It’s important to consult a professional physician before you seek help for the stiffness in muscles. Once the doctor determines the underlying cause of the condition, you can proceed with the treatment. At Fairview Rehab, our team of specialized therapists is always available to recommend and carry out the treatment.

Some of the most common muscle stiffness treatments are as follows;

Exercise

Even simple exercising is effective in relieving the stiffness in muscles. Walking and jogging regularly or physical therapy helps tremendously to increase the blood flow in the body too. When muscles get warmth, they become flexible and the soreness slowly fades away.

Massage

Massage therapy, with a licensed therapist, can do wonders for your body. With the right techniques, the therapists at Fairview Rehab will help you relax within no time. Hot and cold therapy is also an effective way to relieve stiff muscles.

Supplements

In order to balance out the levels of magnesium and calcium in the body, supplements may also be recommended. The process of recovery is gradual in this way, but definite.

The above-mentioned treatments for stiff muscles are included in both inpatient and outpatient services at Fairview Rehab.