Muscle pains
Muscles can give rise to pain for a number of reasons. Muscles may complain when they are overworked, overloaded, sustained in one position for a long time or involved in repetitive movements.
Our muscular system is one of the bodies primary energy consumers, so it is no surprise that when muscles become tired and achy, they can also make us feel fatigued, headachy and generally achy. As muscles tighten and fatigue, they can also impact upon our joint mobility leading to soreness and stiffness.
Muscle spasms
This occurs when a muscle contracts and doesn’t relax. A spasm can be short lived, lasting only a few seconds, but can prolong to many minutes. Severity of spasms can also vary from a minor irritating twitch to severe agonising pain.
In clinic we often see patients presenting with muscle spasms as a result of back pain, where a joint in the back is inflamed and the muscles are spasming to protect the area. Spasms are also common in the legs and arms, particularly the feet and calf muscles.
Spasms can occur at any time and can be a worry to patients. There are some things that may increase your risk to develop spasms including, but not limited to, poor stretching routines, dehydration, poor nutrition and certain medications.
Self help for muscle pains and spasms
There are a few things that you can do to help ease muscle pains and spasms. This list shares a few, but is not exhaustive.
- Hydrate well and keep your body well fuelled with a good diet
- Stretch regularly before you exercise and prepare your body to exercise
- Explore medications. Speak to your pharmacist to understand if your medication may be contributing to your problem
- Epsom salt baths can help to ease muscle pains
- Look at your posture and try to move more throughout your day
Treatment for muscle pain and muscle spasms in Worthing
At Broadwater Osteopaths our osteopathic team work with patients to help their bodies work to their optimum capability, lessening fatigue.
Treatment may involve working on the muscles using techniques such as massage, stretching, trigger point work and fascial release, to restore function.
The osteopaths look at patients as a whole and treat according to what they find. Their aim is to allow the bodies muscles and joints to work to their optimum, lessening strain and fatigue on specific areas, therefore helping to reduce muscle pain, fatigue and spasm.
Learn more about our Osteopathy treatments here or book online with the team here.
If you are interested in finding out more about the massage treatments we offer at the practice, click on this link.
