Placing a warm compress on the site of the contracture and leaving it for 15 to 20 minutes is a good way to relieve contracture pain.Stretching the affected muscle also tends to relieve symptoms gradually, but in some cases, when these forms of treatment at home are not enough, physical therapy is recommended.
Muscle contracture occurs when a particular muscle contracts, resulting in decreased movement and local pain, this can occur during exercise, due to burn scars or neurological changes, such as paraplegia, for example, although it can affect all muscles in the body, most common areas are the thigh, calf, and area between the neck and shoulders.
- The physical therapist should evaluate the person’s need.
- Movement level and pain limitations to choose the most appropriate therapy.
But in general, it is recommended to favor the use of hot water bags or heat-providing devices such as infrared in simpler situations, or devices such as short waves, in larger and more painful contractions.
Manual Swedish massage techniques, deep cross-cutting and muscle drainage are also recommended to release adhesions and eliminate contractures.A successful strategy is the use of suction cups that promote the suction of muscles and fasciae and, when sliding, can help to undo the contracture, although this can cause some discomfort in the most sensitive people. Look at the photos and how the suction cup treatment goes.
Stretching exercises can also be done daily until you get symptom relief and freedom of movement pain-free, and the hot water bag can and should also be used at home, for 20 to 30 minutes a day until symptoms go away completely.some examples of stretching exercises that can be shown in this video:
Physical therapy is recommended whenever the person has one or more muscle contractions, with limited pain and movement, although in most cases simple contractures, which occur daily, do not require specialized treatment, when the person has other situations such as scoliosis, fibromyalgia syndrome., chronic fatigue syndrome or an alteration affecting the nervous system, physiotherapeutic treatment is always indicated.
Sessions should not last more than an hour and the best results are obtained by doing at least 3 sessions per week.The total number of sessions is very individual and depends on factors such as work activity, lifestyle, commitment to the daily tasks to be performed.done at home, such as using a hot compress, stretching and maintaining good posture.
Contracture can be prevented by maintaining good body posture and strengthening muscles, making it an important part of treatment to strengthen the muscles involved with active or endurance exercises to avoid further injury.