What is muscle guarding?
Muscle guarding is a defense mechanism that your body employs to protect injured muscles. When a muscle is injured, the body instinctively tenses the muscle in order to immobilize it and prevent further damage.
While this may seem like a good idea at first, prolonged muscle guarding can actually lead to more problems. When a muscle is constantly tensed, it can become tighter and shorter, which can lead to joint pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
Additionally, muscle guarding can cause the surrounding muscles to overcompensate, which can lead to further imbalances and injuries.
In many cases, it’s best to seek professional help in order to reduce the risk of these complications. A physical therapist can help you to release the tension in your muscles and improve your range of motion.
How does muscle guarding occur?
There are a few different ways that muscle guarding can occur. The most common way is through an acute injury, such as a sprained ankle. When the body senses the injury, it will automatically tense the surrounding muscles in order to immobilize the area and prevent further damage.
Prolonged muscle guarding can also occur from repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. In these cases, the body will begin to tense the muscles in response to the repeated stress on the area, even in the absence of an injury.
Finally, muscle guarding can be a result of chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia. The constant pain can cause the muscles to tense up in an effort to protect the area.
How does muscle guarding impact your daily life
Muscle guarding can have a significant impact on your daily life. The most common symptom is pain, which can range from mild to severe. Additionally, you may experience stiffness, reduced range of motion, and joint pain.
Muscle guarding can also lead to other problems, such as imbalances and injuries. When one muscle is constantly tensed, it can cause the surrounding muscles to overcompensate. This can lead to further imbalances and injuries.
What are some of the best ways to treat muscle guarding?
There are a few different ways that you can treat muscle guarding. The most important thing is to identify the underlying cause of the problem. If the muscle guarding is due to an injury, it’s important to rest and immobilize the area. This will allow the tissue to heal properly.
If the muscle guarding is due to a chronic pain condition, you may need to seek professional help. A physical therapist can help you to release the tension in your muscles and improve your range of motion. In some cases, medication may also be necessary.
How to tell if you are muscle guarding or having a muscle spasm
There are a few different ways that you can tell if you are muscle guarding or having a muscle spasm. The most common symptom of muscle guarding is pain. This pain is usually described as a dull ache that is worse with movement.
Muscle spasms, on the other hand, are sudden and severe contractions of the muscle. These contractions can be very painful and can make it difficult to move the affected area. Additionally, you may notice a visible bulge or lump in the muscle.
If you are unsure whether you are experiencing muscle guarding or a muscle spasm, it’s best to seek professional help. A physical therapist or doctor can help you to identify the problem and recommend the best course of treatment.
Conclusion on what is muscle guarding exactly
Overall, muscle guarding is a problem that can occur due to acute injuries, repetitive stress injuries, or chronic pain conditions. The most common symptom is pain, which can range from mild to severe. Additionally, you may experience stiffness, reduced range of motion, and joint pain. Treatment for muscle guarding includes rest, immobilization of the area, physical therapy, and in some cases, medication. If you are unsure whether you are experiencing muscle guarding or a muscle spasm, it’s best to seek professional help.
