4 Tips to Ease Tight Muscles
Experiencing tight muscles? Muscles can tighten up for a number of reasons, it usually occurs after a hard workout, physical activities, or sitting for long periods of time. When muscles contract, the muscle fibers shorten, increasing tension in the muscle, which leads to soreness. Below are 4 tips to help ease your muscles.
1. Static Stretching- Static stretching is when you stretch a muscle to its furthest point and then hold that stretch for 15 to 20 seconds. The emphasis is to usually focus on one muscle group at a time. Stretching before and after a workout can help prevent muscle tension.
Patrick demonstrates a Pigeon stretch.
2. Foam Rolling- Foam rolling is another way to treat tight muscles. It is a self-myofascial technique. It can help relieve tight muscles, soreness, and increase your joint range of motion. Pairing this with stretching is a great way to treat muscle soreness.
Patricks rolls out his legs on a foam roller.
3. Resistance Training- Adding in resistance training can be very beneficial to your muscles. A tight muscle feeling can also occur from muscle weakness. Engaging in regular exercise helps promote optimal muscle tone.
Patrick is using the TRX for his upper body workout.
4. Staying Hydrated- Staying hydrated especially when you're active can also play a part in your muscle recovery. Drinking plenty of water is beneficial in speeding up your recovery time and also flushing out toxins from your body to prevent dehydration, which can make muscle soreness even more painful.
Reach out to a Physical Therapist- As always, listen to your body if your muscles start hurting while you're doing an activity, and ease into new activities to avoid muscle injuries. If the pain persists, don't hesitate to reach out to one of our physical therapy clinics to schedule a free consultation with our therapists. We will conduct a consultation and answer any questions or concerns, as well as provide recommendations for treatment to help your tight muscles.