Muscle Stiffness - Causes And Treatments

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Muscle stiffness

Muscle rigidity is an increase in their tone and stable resistance to deforming forces. It is a consequence of pathological disorders of the functional activity of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The criterion for assessing muscle tone is an important symptom in the diagnosis of diseases caused by these disorders.

Causes of stiff neck and shoulder muscles

Painful muscle stiffness can be caused by a person's professional activity. A prolonged state of tension, coupled with limited mobility of the cervicobrachial muscles, leads to their spasm. Caused by circulatory disorders, increased muscle tone is manifested by aching sensations in the occipital region and does not require therapy. Regular performance of basic physical exercises restores blood circulation and relieves fatigue.

Persistent muscle stiffness in the neck and shoulders, which is accompanied by severe pain at the slightest movement and other symptoms, can be the result of a number of serious pathologies. Diseases causing muscle stiffness:

• Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, arthritis. They are characterized by dystrophic disorders in the articular cartilage caused by excessive stress, metabolic and posture disorders, trauma and other reasons. The symptoms of osteochondrosis, in addition to the stiffness of the occipital muscles, are accompanied by pain in the head, upper limbs and shoulders. Severe dizziness can be aggravated by a decrease in vision and hearing. Irradiating chest pain has symptoms of angina pectoris. For an accurate diagnosis, a study using magnetic resonance imaging is necessary. Drug treatment involves an integrated approach and should be under the supervision of a doctor, it is aimed at relieving inflammation and pain in the joints that caused an exacerbation. With a stiff neck, the use of drugs that restore blood circulation and muscle tone is also indicated. Rehabilitation will be accelerated by physiotherapy and massage;
• Neck injuries. They can cause stretching and displacement of the cervical vertebrae. As a rule, they are accompanied by frequent pain and dizziness, decreased hand sensitivity. The close proximity of the arteries that provide blood supply to the brain causes great danger when the cervical vertebrae are displaced. Diagnosis based on MRI only. Treatment of muscle stiffness with anti-inflammatory therapy involves effective methods of relieving muscle tension through massage and acupuncture. For complex injuries, surgical intervention is indicated. The recovery process is facilitated by wearing an orthopedic collar;
• Torticollis. A defect in the cervical spine, causing the head to turn in the opposite direction. Skeletal disruption leads to changes in soft and muscle tissue. The disease is more often congenital in nature, it can be the result of a birth injury or is formed by an incorrect intrauterine position of the fetus. The cause of acquired torticollis is dislocation of the cervical vertebrae, incorrect head position caused by impairment of hearing and vision, professional activity. The stiffness of the neck muscles is caused by prolonged forced position of the head. Treatment is determined by the cause of the disease. The congenital form involves surgery. Manual therapy is effective regardless of the cause of torticollis;
• Brain hemorrhage, encephalitis, meningitis. Diseases associated with circulatory disorders and inflammation of the human brain cause increased muscle tone at different stages of development. Severe headache, high fever, increased sensitivity to light, nausea are symptoms of the course of each of these diseases. The increased muscle tone against the background of these symptoms is of great danger. In this case, the stiffness of the neck muscles is manifested by a sharp resistance during a passive attempt to tilt the head to the chest and is one of the early signs of meningitis. For an accurate diagnosis of inflammation, an examination of the cerebrospinal fluid is necessary, and computed tomography will show the focus in the affected brain. Therapy is aimed at taking emergency measures to treat the underlying disease;
• Parkinsonism. Neurological syndrome caused by diseases associated with impaired brain function, as well as toxic poisoning of the body. It is characterized by trembling of the body and rigidity of the muscles of the legs, arms, neck, face. Treatment involves supportive care.

Muscle stiffness in children

Increased muscle tone is often present in infants, this is natural, and during the first months of life, muscle tightness usually disappears. The following factors indicate a violation of the formation process of the child's peripheral nervous system:

• Sedentary baby;
• Pinched pose, in which the knees are tucked in to the body;
• Violation of reflexes;
• Stiff leg muscles.

If the neuropathologist does not observe a positive dynamics of the child's muscle tone during examination, then emergency treatment is needed to normalize the nervous system and muscle activity. Lack of timely assistance to the child leads to delays in neuropsychic and physical development. He later begins to crawl, stand up and walk, while not stepping on the entire foot, but moving on tiptoe. Treatments for toddler muscle stiffness include medication, physical therapy, and massage.

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The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!