4 Talking about tightness suggests an uncanny ability to feel your pain. The therapist is saying, in effect, “I can tell that you are feeling stiff, because I can feel your tight muscles.” This is a good way to impress anyone with a body.
A massage therapist finds your pain and stiffness by asking about your problem areas before the session and feeling for tight or tense muscles during the massage. They use their hands to detect knots, tension, and changes in muscle texture to focus on the right spots.
In most simple cases of feeling tight, the cause is obvious – we have been stuck in the same posture or movement pattern for too long, and our muscles need a rest or change of position to reduce the ischemia or metabolic stress that is causing nociception in certain areas.
Chiropractors often use the term "tight" to describe muscles resistant to movement or painful when touched. Many factors, including muscle spasms, inflammation, and scar tissue, can cause this resistance.
Statements like “you're really tight” are almost a verbal tic, something automatic — even expected — that massage therapists say to pass the time and make conversation with clients. In this context, it is mostly trivial and harmless.
One of the most common chiropractor red flags is when a back specialist tells you that they can fix your problems in one session. While a spinal adjustment may improve your condition, you should still see your primary care physician and consult other medical professionals.
Stretching, exercising more frequently and improving your posture all can help relieve muscle stiffness. Rarely, muscle stiffness can point to an underlying, more serious infection or medical condition. Muscle stiffness may be a cause for concern when it occurs along with symptoms such as: Fever.
Yes, massage therapists are trained to identify muscle tension through touch and experience. They use their knowledge of anatomy to pinpoint problem areas effectively. The frequency depends on your activity level and tension severity.
“I take note of things like freedom of movement, symmetry, breathing patterns, and body language,” said massage therapist Cindy Williams. “I also notice things like how fast or loud someone is speaking, how they're gesturing, and whether they seem fatigued or depressed.”
Massage therapists use various tools, such as their hands and fingers, to locate knots within the muscles. They will often start by gently palpating the area to feel for any tight or hard areas. Once they have found an area of tension, they may apply specific techniques designed to release it.
Two of the most addictive muscle relaxers are diazepam (Valium) and carisoprodol (Soma). In the United States, both of these drugs are classified as Schedule IV controlled substances. Diazepam is a benzodiazepine, a category that also includes lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax), and clonazepam (Klonopin).
Are there over-the-counter muscle relaxers? There are no over-the-counter (OTC) muscle relaxants in the United States. But some OTC medications can help muscle issues (like soreness), such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and acetaminophen.
Magnesium
A mineral renowned for its ability to calm spasming muscle tissue, magnesium-rich foods include bananas, brown rice, and almonds, and can also aid in nerve damage.
Fortunately, gentle stretches can counteract the effects of sitting to offer some temporary relief to lower back pain. Stretching elongates muscles, helps relieve stiffness and improves range of motion. Give these a try. Before you begin, talk to your doctor before stretching if you've had hip or back surgery.
There are a number of ways to reduce physical tension. These include meditation, exercise, tai chi, massage, visualisation, yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, and slow breathing techniques.
Scientific studies have generally found limited evidence for chiropractic efficacy beyond back pain, and concerns about patient safety, particularly with neck manipulations, have been raised.
In general, numbness of part of one limb suggests a peripheral nerve lesion while brain lesions would give rise to unilateral numbness of both limbs (this may include the trunk). Bilateral numbness may be dermatomal, suggesting a spinal cord lesion.