What is it?
Muscle weakness occurs when you have exerted all your energy into a movement and there is not a normal muscle contraction response. Other names for it are: reduced muscle strength, muscular weakness, and weak muscles.
Here are two forms of muscle weakness, how they’re caused, and how to fix it:
1. Short-term muscle weakness
This type of weakness stems from exercise or lack of. Here are a few examples:
- Deconditioning
- Over-exertion
- Weather-related fatigue
- Injury
Deconditioning is one of the most common causes of muscle weakness. When muscles aren’t used, due to a sedentary lifestyle, the fibers begin to be replaced with fat. Each fiber holds its original strength but with less number of total fibers, the contraction is not as effective. You also lose the bulk, and the muscle appears to be loose or “floppy”.
Another cause of muscle weakness is injury. Typically, the main symptom of an injury is pain localized in the area where the injury occurred, but it can also result in decreases muscle output.
If you are experiencing muscle weakness due to one of the reasons above, or similarly related, contact us today to set up your consultation. Physical therapy is one of the leading treatments to overcome muscle weakness. In particular to sports injuries or deconditioning, our physical therapists at FYZICAL Lubbock can guide you through the correct exercises and level of exertion needed to correctly and safely rehab.
2. Long-term muscle weakness
Many health conditions can cause muscle weakness. Here are examples of a few:
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Autoimmune diseases
- Stroke
- Hypotonia
In some conditions, muscle weakness is caused by chronic diseases that affect the blood flow and nutrient supply to the muscles. Peripheral arterial disease is one of the many chronic diseases that can affect blood flow. This results in pain which is often more noticeable than weakness but both can and are a problem.
At the initial evaluation with our physical therapists at FYZICAL Lubbock, they will assess you as a whole. From there, they will be able to create a plan for you, specifically, moving forward safely and efficiently. The plan can range from muscle strengthening, balance, flexibility, and other approaches.
Overall, physical therapy can help you lower your risk of aggravating an injury, improve mobility and balance, reduce chronic pain, improve athletic performance, recover from traumatic events, increase blood flow through physical activity, and reduce muscle weakness. Come see us today, or call us at 806-785-7900 to set up your initial evaluation. Let us help you LOVE YOUR LIFE!
