I guess most encountered word from dictionary today is IMBALANCE. We face imbalance in almost all aspects of life like hormonal, mental, electrolyte, work life etc. But do you know there is one more IMBALANCE known as MUSCLE IMBALANCE.
Muscle is a contractile tissue. They are the body movers. The function of the muscle is to contract and relax, physiologically actin and myosin bonds will form when the muscle contracts and breaks while it relaxes, etc., it’s a complicated process so let’s not go there deep.
Let’s discuss what a contracted muscle feels like ( means when it’s not in relaxing phase). So, whenever a muscle is contracted you feel a kind of increased tension or pressure into the muscle fibers, which decreases the moment muscle start relaxing. If there is any deviation or problem happening with this relaxation process, then it means that are in a constant state of contraction leading to the muscular imbalances.
And now the question is why muscles are unable to relax?
Being in one position constantly for hours or repeatedly doing an action in same range, means the joint is not moving at all in its full ROM or against its natural function. If this goes on, few muscle fibers get stuck in each other or a semi contracted state,l develops, which in turn restricts blood supply, nutrients and accumulatea metabolic waste product like Lactic Acid. These waste products irritate nerve endings causing discomfort and pain.
What is a muscle imbalance?
In the initial phase there is just slight discomfort and stiffness in the muscle which comes on and off depending on muscular use, as this process goes on it affects more and more muscle fibres, form knots, or trigger points causing stiffness, pain, and the cycle keep going on.
As we all know that the body works in chain patterns and if there is a single shorten or tight muscle which can create tightness in above and below the affected muscle, as well as weakness in an opposite group of muscle leading to severe IMBALANCE in the body or vice versa weakness in particular muscle leads to tightness in opposite muscles due to inability of a muscle to complete its range.
What are other factors affecting muscle health?
Calcium, Vit D, Vit, B12 are important nutrients for musclar health. Stress or overthinking may continuously increase tension in muscles ( blame it to your stress hormones). Dehydration leads to insufficient minerals which help muscles to relax. Inadequate sleep ( disrupts your endocrine system) will interfere with the muscle healing process leading to STIFFNESS & IMBALANCE.
So whenever facing an issue related to muscular imbalance or stiffness or something like that always always consider consulting your therapist first. Your physiotherapist will analyze affected muscle patterns and correct the imbalance with appropriate relaxation techniques, mobility & strengthening exercises, or modalities.
Importantly understanding your tensed or/and weak muscles and treating them on right time to avoid chronic muscle aches is a must.
| Tags: | ##exercise, ##injury, ##pain, ##rehabilitation |
