Muscle tension

Definition

Unconscious nerve impulses maintain the muscles in a partially contracted state. The feeling is like the muscles are always tight or strained, sometimes to the point of frequent pain, or even persistent and ongoing pain. Some may also find the pain so restricting and debilitating that it prevents physical activity, and sometimes to the point of becoming bed ridden. It's also common to experience pain or cramps in any of the body's muscles. Muscle cramps, or muscle spasms, are strong, painful contractions. They can occur in virtually any muscle but are most common in the calf and foot. They're typically precipitated by movement, especially a quick or jerking movement, and can usually be relieved by slow stretching.

Signs and symptoms

• muscle weakness
• muscle pain
• muscle cramps
• muscle atrophy
• loss of muscle control
• muscle stiffness

Causes

• Common Orthopedic Inflexibilities
• Injury or trauma including sprains and strains
• Muscular Imbalances
• Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Overuse: using a muscle too much, too soon, too often
• Stress
• Certain drugs and substances, including:
  • ACE inhibitors for lowering blood pressure
  • Statins for lowering cholesterol
  • Cocaine
• Dermatomyositis
• Electrolyte imbalances like too little potassium or calcium
• Fibromyalgia
• Nervous system diseases
• Infections, including:
  • Influenza (the flu)
  • Lyme disease
  • Malaria
  • Muscle abscess
  • Polio
  • Trichinosis (roundworm)
  • Lupus
  • Polymyalgia rheumatica
  • Polymyositis
  • Rhabdomyolysis
• Restrictive Clothing
• Stretching

Risk Factors

A number of factors associated with an increased risk for muscle tension include:

• suffering from musculoskeletal disorders
• suffering from any spinal injury or disease
• Having poor posture
• stressful work
• overexertion
• Having hypocalcemia (low bood calcium level) - symptoms of severe hypocalcemia include numbness or tingling around the mouth or in the feet and hands, as well as in muscle spasms in the face, feet, and hands.
• Using some of the common spasm-producing drugs - such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, statins ( cholesterol lowering drugs), corticosteroids, and estrogens
• excessive caffeine use
• Negative psychosocial conditions

Diagnosis

Physical examination Inspect muscles involved for muscle wasting which may indicate a primary muscle disease, wasting due to disuse or pathology of the nerve supplying the muscle. Inspect for muscle fasciculations (irregular contractions of small areas of muscle which have no rhythmical pattern, are present at rest but not during voluntary movement). This suggests motor neurone disease. Feel muscles involved to help determine if pain is originating from the muscles or actually from deeper structures such as bone. Peripheral nervous system examination including muscular tone, power, reflexes and coordination. Feel the pulses in the legs - if reduced or absent should suggest arterial embolism, peripheral atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) or obstruction of the abdominal aorta and its branches by. Blood tests.

Treatment approach

• Stress management. Managing stress, anxiety, or depression may help reduce the frequency of muscle tensions.A relaxation exercise where you focus on relaxing each muscle group.
• Yoga.
• Meditation.
• Identifying and avoiding tension's triggers
• Nonprescription drugs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen, are often all you need to reduce the pain you get.
• Prescription drugs.
• Muscle relaxants - such as Soma and Flexeril
• Lifestyle changes may be required for chronic muscles tension. This may include adequate rest and exercise, change in job or recreational habits, or other changes.
• Balanced meals
• Activity or regular exercise
• Adequate sleep: The patient should maintain a regular sleep schedule.

Muscle tension Medications

• Flexeril
• Soma