Muscle rigidity, also known as muscle tension, rigor, or stiffness, is one of the most common causes of muscle pain. Show It’s characterized by the inability of the muscles to relax normally. The condition can affect any of the muscles in the body, causing sharp pain that makes it difficult to move. There are muscles all over your body. When you need to move a particular part of your body, your brain sends a nerve signal to the muscles located in that body part. This causes the muscles to tighten, or contract. Muscles can contract a little bit or a lot, depending on the type of signal the brain sends. After contracting, the muscles relax until the next time you need to use them. Muscle rigidity happens when a muscle or a group of muscles stays contracted or partly contracted for an extended period. The brain continues to send nerve signals telling the muscle to contract even when the muscle is no longer needed for movement. This can sometimes last for several hours or days. The longer your muscle remains contracted, the more pain you’ll feel. Muscle rigidity is often triggered by stress. Stress can adversely affect your body’s nervous system — including your nerves — and how they function. Your nervous system may respond to stress by putting additional pressure on the blood vessels, which results in reduced blood flow to the muscles. This can cause muscle tension and pain. Certain medications, such as statins, can also cause muscle rigidity. Some medical conditions may also contribute to it. These include:
If you know that your muscle rigidity is the result of a minor injury, stress or overuse, then you can usually treat it at home effectively. However, if you suspect that your muscle stiffness is being caused by a severe injury or an undiagnosed condition, you should call your doctor. You should also contact your doctor if your muscle rigidity doesn’t go away within one week or is accompanied by any of the following:
Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if you experience muscle rigidity along with any of the following symptoms:
To diagnose muscle rigidity, your doctor will first request your medical history and perform a physical exam. They may also run laboratory tests to look for muscle damage and to rule out any possible underlying conditions that may be causing your muscle rigidity. These tests may include:
The main goal of treatment is to encourage the muscles to relax. The specific treatment used for muscle rigidity can vary depending on the cause. Home RemediesHome remedies are usually effective in treating muscle rigidity caused by minor injuries, stress, or overuse. They can include the following:
Medical TreatmentYou’ll need medical treatment for any severe injuries or underlying health conditions that may be causing your muscle rigidity. Treatment will first address the condition or injury and then the muscle rigidity. Depending on the specific cause of your muscle rigidity, medical treatment may involve surgery, medications, and physical therapy. You and your doctor can discuss which treatments would be best for you. How do you relieve tight muscle pain?You may be able to treat muscle stiffness at home with rest, massage, and application of heat or cold. Heat may work better for muscle tightness. Cold may work better for swelling and inflammation. Options include hot and cold packs, heating pads, and heat therapy patches.
What happens to muscles when they are tight?The short answer is that it's down to our muscle fibres, which expand and contract when we move our muscles. Muscle stiffness can occur during exercise when the fibres contract, seize up, and have difficulty expanding again.
What does tight muscle pain feel like?Muscle stiffness is when the muscles feel tight and difficult to move, particularly after resting. Muscles stiffness can also be accompanied by pain, cramping, and discomfort. It is usually not a cause for concern and can be treated with home remedies and stretching.
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