Muscle tightening shoulder
Painful muscle hardening often occurs in the shoulder . They can take both an acute and a chronic course. It is not uncommon for the pronounced pain to radiate to other areas of the body such as the neck or arms. However, there are helpful treatments.
What are muscle tightness in the shoulder?
A muscle hardening is a muscular tension due to permanent tension. Overloading due to sport, work-related incorrect posture or psychosomatic triggers such as stress are usually responsible for the hardened muscles. Muscle hardening is particularly common in the back, neck and shoulders, so it is not uncommon in the shoulder region. Doctors speak of myogelosis in such cases. There is a hardening of the muscle fibers, which is noticeable through the shape of a knot. It can also be felt with the fingers. In addition, the blood flow to the affected muscles is impaired. In some cases there is even a risk of permanent inflammation.
Pain in the right or left shoulder is a typical sign of muscle hardening in the shoulder area . The pain is either stabbing or cramping. The complaints usually extend from the shoulder blade over the neck to the upper back area. In many patients, their freedom of movement also suffers from the hardened muscles. Because there are numerous muscles in the shoulder region, the neck and back are usually also affected. In some cases, there is also numbness , which is due to the restricted blood flow.
causes
A tightening of the muscles in the shoulder occurs due to the compression of the capillaries located in the muscles by the permanently tense muscle fibers. This process results in impaired blood flow, which in turn can trigger inflammation. The muscles try to counteract further injuries by automatically tensing themselves. This causes a self-reinforcing effect of tension, reduced blood flow and an inflammatory reaction.The causes of a muscle tightness in the shoulder are different. However, most impairments of this type are triggered by overuse or muscle strains. Many sufferers adopt an incorrect posture when working on the computer or sitting at a desk, which in turn causes tension in the muscles in the shoulders. The neck is often stiffened, the shoulders pushed forward and the head held unnaturally. In the further course, this leads to myogelosis.
Another common reason for shoulder muscle tightness is excessive exercise. People who have little experience or who are trying out new training methods are particularly affected . Sometimes severe muscle soreness leads to muscle hardening. Those affected often take the wrong position. It is not uncommon for a wrong posture when lying down to be the cause of muscle hardening in the shoulder. This leads to permanent strain on the shoulder, twisting of the back or even pinched nerves. Those affected then wake up the next morning with a tense shoulder blade and pain.
Psychological problems also have a favorable effect on myogelosis. These include depression and anxiety. Muscle hardening in the shoulder region is often related to insufficient exercise. Constant sitting and lying down results in changes in the metabolism in the shoulder muscles, which in turn lead to muscle hardening. Sometimes certain diseases are responsible for the hardened shoulder muscles. These primarily include metabolic disorders, sleep disorders, circulatory problems, poor posture and myositis (inflammation of the skeletal muscles).
Diseases
- bad posture
When to the doctor?
In the case of muscle hardening in the shoulder, some measures can be taken to alleviate the symptoms without a doctor’s visit. Sufficient movement, avoiding one-sided strain or targeted muscle training for the shoulders are very helpful. In this way, existing hardening can be loosened and future ones can be avoided. Massages or sporting activities such as swimming can also help. A visit to the doctor is therefore not necessary in most cases.
If the muscle hardening in the shoulder is due to poor sleeping conditions, changes can also be initiated without a doctor.
If the muscle hardening persists for several weeks or months despite the measures taken, a doctor should be consulted. If the muscle problems lead to pain in the shoulder, neck or head, a doctor’s visit is necessary. There is a risk of impairment of the general level of performance, reduced well-being and attention deficits.
The tightening of the muscles in the shoulder can lead to poor posture in the upper back. Changes in the skeletal system and back pain set in. If the head is tilted, there is a risk of tension, nerve damage or damage to the blood vessels. For these reasons, a doctor should be consulted in good time as soon as further symptoms appear. In some cases, the tight muscles lead to tooth and jaw pain . As these continue to spread, it is advisable to see a doctor at the first sign of dental problems.
diagnosis and course
If the muscle tightness in the shoulder persists for a long period of time, it is advisable to seek the help of a doctor. In addition to general physicians, the best contacts include orthopaedists who specialize in complaints of this type. At the beginning of the examination, the doctor looks at the anamnesis (medical history) of the patient. He would like to know about the workload, sporting activities and the patient’s mental state. After the questioning, the orthopedist performs a physical examination, during which he feels the shoulder. The hardening can be determined in the form of a small knot that can be easily moved and reacts sensitively to pressure.
Some patients may also require further investigations. These include sonography (ultrasound examination), computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) , the use of which can rule out malignant diseases. A blood test is carried out to detect a possible metabolic disease. It is not possible to predict exactly how long a muscle hardening in the shoulder will last. The sooner medical treatment begins, the more favorable the course of the symptoms.
complications
A tightening of the muscles in the shoulder can spread to the surrounding areas. The neck, back, and neck are often affected as well. In addition to the hardening, there is usually pain. The hardening can cause problems with blood circulation. These lead to increased heart activity and increase the risk of suffering a heart attack . Disturbed blood circulation affects all areas of the organism. The supply of the organs, but also the nerves or other muscles is no longer sufficiently guaranteed. This can lead to failures of individual systems that are life-threatening.
A tightening of the muscles in the shoulder leads to a restriction of movement and a strain on the upper body. Turning movements and carrying objects are difficult or severely restricted. This has immense implications for coping with everyday life. Emotional problems or mental stress can occur.
In addition to mood swings , a prolonged situation can lead to a mental disorder. A tightening of the shoulder muscles can lead to headaches. In severe cases, a migraine can break out. Social contact is restricted and the need for retreat increases. Various side effects can occur when taking painkillers. The mucous membranes are attacked and trigger stomach pain.
treatment and therapy
In order to improve muscle hardening in the shoulder in the long term, the triggers of the symptoms must be eliminated. For example, if stress is the cause of the hardening, proven relaxation methods such as progressive muscle relaxation are recommended . This actively relaxes the muscles and reduces stress. Various therapy options are available to combat the hardened muscles. Anti -inflammatory drugs and ointments help against the pain . First, ointment should be applied.
Only if this does not lead to an improvement in the symptoms is it advisable to take a painkiller . In this way, the relaxation of the muscles can be promoted. Heat applications such as hot baths, applying fango packs or hot rolls are also classified as helpful. They stimulate the blood circulation in the shoulder again and loosen the hardened areas of the body. The use of massages and electrical stimulation are also considered useful.In severe cases, medical treatment may also be necessary. The orthopaedist often injects muscle relaxation drugs that bring about a rapid improvement. In addition, he knows physiotherapy exercises with which the tension can be released step by step.
outlook and prognosis
A muscle hardening in the shoulder caused by a one-sided strain on the body usually disappears within a short time if balancing movements are carried out regularly. Lasting relief is achieved as soon as the movement sequences are optimized and continuously adapted to the needs of the body. Overexertion and overloading of the muscles in the upper body region is a temporary phenomenon with a good prognosis. With sufficient heat, rest and rest, the symptoms subside within a few days. Then there is no complaint.
Damage to the muscles, nerves or blood vessels must be treated medically for permanent relief to occur. Normally, the prognosis is good, since the underlying diseases can be cured with individual medical care.
If the organism is undersupplied with vitamins, nutrients or messenger substances, the symptoms will be alleviated and healing will occur as soon as the deficiency is compensated. The recurrence of the symptoms is avoided by regularly checking the blood values.
Psychosomatic causes can be reduced and healed if there is insight into the illness and appropriate therapy. In many cases, the healing process takes several months or years before successful treatment can be initiated, since it is often not possible to make a correct diagnosis in the early stages.
prevention
Anyone who does sports can prevent muscle hardening in the shoulder by warming up sufficiently. Stretching exercises are recommended after exercise. If you work at the computer for a long time, regular breaks are extremely important, in which the body moves.
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.