Whether you have an ongoing injury, live an active or sedentary lifestyle, or are simply looking to improve your overall well being, regular myotherapy is something worth considering.
Throughout our daily lives, movement can become repetitive. Whether it’s prolonged sitting, repetitive mouse use at a computer, standing stationary for long periods, or repeatedly bending to lift heavy loads, our bodies become conditioned to these movements and begin to adapt.
Over time, this adaptation can create tension in the muscles being used most frequently, while muscles less involved in these everyday movements can become “deconditioned.”
A Bit of Anatomy
Bend your elbow. Now straighten it.
The primary mover in this action, the elbow bender (bicep) is known as the “agonist.” Many muscles function alongside an opposing muscle group. In this case, the elbow straightener (tricep) is known as the “antagonist.”
Every movement involves the recruitment of multiple muscles to produce the force required. When the agonist becomes tight, it can send warning signals to the brain, which may be interpreted as pain. There may not be any actual tissue damage present, but the pain you feel can still be very real.
One of the major causes of soft tissue muscular discomfort is some muscles working overtime while others do far less. Over time, this imbalance can contribute to:
- Inflammation
- Restricted joint mobility
- Joint pain
- Bursitis
- Headaches
- Back pain
- Shallow breathing
At Boost Health Collective, our Myotherapists can not only improve muscular function and movement, but also identify underlying issues you may not yet be aware of.
Muscles tend to work in “patterns” of recruitment. A Myotherapist can assess whether certain muscles are working too hard while others are underperforming. Through assessment and treatment, they can help release muscular tension causing discomfort and provide exercises to retrain muscles that may not be “pulling their weight,” allowing movement to return to its normal range.
