Treatment of muscle shortening
Muscle shortening can be treated in physiotherapy through active and passive stretching exercises. An exercise program for home use with specific exercises for muscle lengthening is also part of the program. A stretching program and muscle lengthening in therapy always includes muscle building and posture training, because often shortened muscles are also too weak and a constant incorrect posture increases the problem or even causes it.
The therapist can alleviate the discomfort associated with muscle shortening, such as muscle tension, through massages and mobilizing techniques. Heat therapy can also be useful to loosen shortened structures. More detailed information on this topic can be found in the following articles:
- Medical Training Therapy (MTT)
- Back school
- Posture school
- Posture improvement at the desk – exercises
- Postural deficiency
Summary
Muscle shortening is often the result of incorrect strain, lack of exercise or one-sided movement. In order to avoid and treat them, it makes sense to include regular loosening and stretching units in the training program as a balance to any kind of muscle training. These should best be done after the training or on another day.
During therapy, passive mobilizing measures or, for example, massage can also be applied, as well as targeted muscle building and posture training. Muscle shortening can manifest itself as pain, feelings of tension and restricted movement, and joint pain can be promoted by one-sided strain. Specific stretching exercises can usually improve the symptoms very quickly. Would you like to read more about the consequences of prolonged muscle shortening?
- Postural deficiency
- Childhood malposition/back problems
- Physiotherapy for a carpal fracture
All articles in this series: