We accept that our muscles can become tight and sore and realising why they become like this may help you to reduce the likelihood from it happening more often.
People experience muscle soreness/tightness differently – it could be a sharp pain, a cramp or difficulty in moving. When we need to move, our muscles contract and when they have done their job, they go back to their relaxed, natural state. However, this is not always the case. Muscle tension occurs when they have been in a contracted state with minimal motion for a long period of time and they can no longer relax normally.
Reasons for muscle discomfort and include:
1. Prolonged inactivity: sitting behind a desk for hours at a time; long hours driving in the car. If you don’t get up at regular intervals your muscles stay contracted for too long which in turn makes it more difficult to move. This leads to poor posture such as slouching especially when sat at a desk if it is not adapted for you personally.
2. Dehydration: Our muscles and kidneys are made up of 79% water so keeping hydrated helps to lubricate our joints and muscles, reducing tightness and soreness.
3. Muscle strain: a muscle strain is caused when we overstretch a muscle beyond its normal range of motion and this can lead to a tear – picking up a weight incorrectly which is also way too heavy for you or an accident for example.
4. DOMS: Delayed-onset muscle soreness. Tenderness, reduced joint motion and severe pain a few days after a strenuous workout are symptoms of DOMS and are commonly experienced by athletes. This muscle pain can occur for different reasons for example after a heavy workout or doing a new training method.
What can I do to eventually prevent muscle discomfort?
Stretching is great way to help loosen tight muscles: read my earlier blog on this subject ‘You feel better after a stretch!‘ or try using a massage ball.
There are stretches for almost every part of the body and when done correctly and safely provide a lot of release. Or why not book a massage with Theramas. I will target the tight areas and offer relief from your sore muscles.