How Can Muscles Cause Pain?

Muscles are the only tissue in our body that has the ability to move. Muscles are responsible for moving our bodies and standing against the weight of gravity. Muscles are not necessarily smart, they just want to do the same things every day. When we do the same activities over and over the muscles create a memory. Athletes understand muscle memory because they have to learn to do the same repetitive motions to perform well in their sport. Muscles also create memory from being in the same positions every day for extended periods of time. When we sit, we are shortening our hip flexors and hamstrings. This is why when we stand up, we feel tightness in the back of the legs. Typically someone who sits at a desk or drives many hours a week experiences pain in their low back. The back will tighten up and cause pain because the hip flexors and hamstrings are pulling down on the lumbar spine and the back of the pelvis. It is important to lengthen the muscles we shorten everyday to help maintain a proper balance and prevent them from causing pain in other areas. If we experience an injury or accident the muscles will tighten to protect the injured area. Once the body heals the injury, muscles do not think “Since the injury is healed, I am going to relax”. They actually believe the same trauma will continue to occur so they stay tight to protect the injury site in the future. Sometimes when we take a break for a short period of time, the muscles can rest and they relax enough to continue on with our daily activities pain free. For some, therapy will be necessary to rehabilitate the muscles. RoelsMethod Structural Bodywork is designed to treat the cause of the pain, which will alleviate the symptoms. Typically the problem is not where we feel the pain. Essential Balanced Bodywork is here to serve with a consistent, high-quality, advanced level of massage in the Clemmons and Winston-Salem community.