Muscle contractures are a very common health problem that affects a high percentage of the population and a wide spectrum, from athletes to the elderly. But what are they and how are they treated?
Contractures occur when there is a prolonged contraction of a muscle, which remains so even when it is at rest. This causes the appearance of pain in the affected area.
The origin of contractures is diverse and can be caused by prolonged exercise, poor posture, stress, exposure to extreme temperatures or dehydration, according to a study by doctors Jesús Soto and Luz Viviana Salazar. They also usually derive from other pathologies such as osteoarthritis.
The most frequent contractures
- Contractures affect a variety of muscles, although some are more common than others. For example, in the case of athletes, many are affected in the areas of the body that are most involved in their professional activity.
- Other common, and very annoying, are those that affect the back muscles, mainly at the level of the cervical and lumbar area. Bad postures in the office, the abuse of heels or pregnancy can cause this type of contractures.
How to treat and prevent contractures
- Treatments are diverse and depend on the degree of pain caused by the contracture. For milder cases, the application of local heat is recommended, since it has an analgesic effect.
- It is also advisable to go to an expert physiotherapist to undergo an appropriate massage, depending on the affected muscles and the type of contracture.
- In the most serious cases, anti-inflammatory drugs can be used, but it should not be forgotten that a doctor will prescribe this treatment.
- As for prevention, regular physical exercise, warming up beforehand, and having well postural hygiene is the most recommended to avoid this inconvenience.