Dorothy FarrarMuscle tightening in the back
Hardened muscles in the back can lead to significant pain. Patients often report radiating symptoms, which are often felt most intensely in the area of hardening. Tight muscles in the back are also a common orthopedic finding in children and adolescents. As you age, your risk of tightening muscles in your back increases.
What is back muscle tightness?
Hardened muscles in the back are palpable resistances that can occur particularly paravertebrally, from the trapezius muscles to the area of the lumbar spine. The hardenings can occur individually or as a series of hardenings. To date, it has not been possible to clarify exactly how the regional muscle hardening, which is also referred to as a trigger, occurs.
Trigger points can occur not only in the large back muscles, but also in all other muscle groups of the musculoskeletal system. Triggers are considered pain points, the pain typically radiates to neighboring body areas. If there are several triggers, it is often difficult for the doctor to understand which trigger is responsible for a pain syndrome. The metabolism and blood flow is reduced in the muscle hardening compared to the healthy environment. Triggers also occur particularly at the muscle-tendon transitions, i.e. at the muscle attachments of bones.
causes
The muscles of the human musculoskeletal system are susceptible to metabolic disorders due to their delicate structure. This influence, from inside or outside, leads to a change in the metabolism in the affected muscle areas at the cellular level. As a result, the ability to contract, as the relaxation and contraction of the actin and myosin filaments, is disturbed.
On this basis, it must now be assumed that the smallest spasms initially develop, which dynamically spread further, so that the hardening is palpable from a certain size. There is also a genetic and constitutional component to the development of dorsal muscle stiffness.
However, it is also considered certain that some behaviors promote the occurrence of triggers and thus muscle hardening in the back. Untrained back muscles atrophy and thus prepare the ground for the development of painful muscle triggers. Lifting heavy loads incorrectly or bad posture at work can also be responsible for muscle hardening in the back or shoulders.
Diseases
When to the doctor?
In the case of a muscle hardening in the back, various measures can be taken with the aim of alleviating it without medical support. Balancing movements for the entire body are helpful. As many muscles as possible should be addressed so that there is no one-sided strain. Regular exercise, changing sitting positions or a variety of exercise are recommended. A balanced diet helps to relieve muscle hardening in the back without medical intervention. Getting a massage, warm baths, and warm clothing on your back are also very helpful.
A doctor must be consulted if the symptoms are not reduced despite sufficient opportunities being used. If the muscle problems persist for several weeks or months, a doctor can provide the necessary remedy. In the event of a deficiency in the organism, a blood test helps to identify the affected nutrients. In cooperation with a doctor, the necessary balance is then restored.
If the hardening of the muscles in the back leads to a change in posture, a doctor’s visit is necessary. There is a risk of one-sided strain on the muscles and joints, which must be counteracted in good time before permanent damage occurs.
If other symptoms such as insomnia or pain appear, a doctor should be consulted. If there is a significant restriction of movement, a doctor must be contacted immediately.
Diagnose
The suspected diagnosis is often made by the family doctor on the basis of back pain. The symptoms caused by this hardening are sometimes indistinguishable from those of other causes, such as herniated discs. Dorsal muscle tightness is one of many causes of back pain. In the case of chronic courses, muscle hardening is often accompanied by other causes of pain, and doctors then speak of a multifactorial process. Therefore, prolonged muscle problems in the back should be clarified orthopedically.
Due to the muscle shortening with triggers, a herniated disc can also result over time. The cervical and lumbar spine are predilection sites for trigger-related herniated discs. The suspected diagnosis is often made during the anamnesis interview based on the patient’s description. The final diagnosis is based on the dorsal palpation, because the triggers are easily palpable for the experienced diagnostician. Triggers are easily displaceable within the surrounding tissue and are usually tender to slight pressure. Triggers can be active and inactive, an inactive trigger can already be activated with a light pressure. Such so-called triggered triggers then radiate over a large area into the respective nerve supply areas of the surrounding muscles.
complications
A tightening of the muscles in the back leads to restricted mobility. Sitting, standing or walking for long periods of time are perceived as uncomfortable. Rotational movements are often only minimally possible. This has an impact on the daily routine. Everyday activities cannot be carried out or can only be carried out to a limited extent. In some cases there is an occupational disability and leisure activities can no longer be carried out without symptoms or have to be paused. Postural damage occurs when the symptoms persist. A misalignment of the pelvis or shoulders triggers a change in the skeletal system. In addition, there are other problems with the muscles throughout the body.
Circulatory disorders can trigger or occur through muscle hardening. Sensory disturbances in the back and discoloration of the skin occur because the nerve fibers are no longer adequately supplied. In worrying cases, disorders of consciousness, tachycardia or functional failures of individual systems occur. A reduction in alertness or perception increases the general risk of accidents. The occurrence of a stroke or a heart attack is favored.
Hardening of the muscles in the back often leads to a feeling of pain in the back. Well-being is significantly reduced and mental stress increases. There are interruptions during night sleep. The resting phase is disturbed by the symptoms and the organism is heavily burdened. During the day there is a risk of permanent tiredness and a reduced level of performance.
treatment and therapy
Muscle hardening in the back is a common clinical picture, both in the general practitioner’s practice and in orthopaedists. They are rarely the sole cause of a variety of back problems. Stationary muscle triggers can be managed with a variety of conservative measures.
Any treatment is considered successful if the hardening recedes or disappears completely. The treated areas then become more supple again and structurally adapt better to the surrounding tissue.
Muscle triggers in the back are considered to be particularly sensitive to cold, so applications with heat promise the greatest therapeutic success. In addition to moor or fango packs, so-called hot rollers or sauna sessions have also proven to be particularly helpful.
It has also been observed that trigger points can have a tendency to disappear spontaneously, only to re-form in another muscle area of the back.
There is no surgical therapy that directly relates to muscle hardening. Shock wave therapy has also proven to be very promising.
Muscle hardening caused by triggers also responds well to magnetic field therapy, hot baths and acupuncture in many patients. Since there is no standardized treatment for tight muscles in the back, patients have to find out for themselves over time which therapy measures are helpful and which are not.
outlook and prognosis
In normal cases, the chances of recovery from muscle hardening in the back can be classified as good. Reactions from overexertion heal completely within a few days. If the symptoms were triggered by unusual movements or heavy physical exertion, the symptoms will be alleviated with sufficient rest and rest. Hardenings caused by poor sleep conditions remain until corrected. Bone misalignments need to be evaluated and treated in order to alleviate muscle discomfort.
If there is a shortage of minerals or nutrients , a blood count is required to find the substances that need to be balanced. A targeted change in food intake improves the state of health after a few weeks. The intake of preparations that supply the organism with the necessary messenger substances can be considered as a support. This shortens the healing time. Regular check-ups are necessary to ensure permanent freedom from symptoms. In the event of a lack of fluidscare must be taken to ensure adequate supply. With an optimal intake of liquids, the symptoms can be alleviated within a few hours. If the muscle hardening is triggered by a one-sided strain or an oblique posture, balancing movements must take place. With targeted training and exercises for correct posture, a lasting reduction in symptoms is achieved.
prevention
A synchronous, well-perfused and adequately trained back musculature is the best prevention against the development of muscle hardening. Regular back training, regular visits to the sauna and avoiding stress and stimulants can help prevent muscle hardening in the back. Ergonomically designed computer workstations and avoiding poor posture in everyday working life can also have a prophylactic effect.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.