Muscle adhesion is scar tissue that develops within muscles, acting like glue to bind muscle fibers together. This collagen buildup restricts movement, causing inflexibility and weakness. Think of it like plaque building up on teeth. It often occurs after injury, surgery, or even from tiny, repetitive muscle tears (microtrauma). The adhesions can compress and contort the surrounding muscles, resulting in painful, hard knots. This can lead to decreased range of motion and increased pressure on joints and discs, potentially causing further pain and degeneration over time. Adhesions aren't just found in muscles; they can form in the fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles).
How Muscle Adhesions Occur
Several factors contribute to the formation of muscle adhesions:
- Injury: Significant trauma or even small, repeated injuries (microtrauma) can trigger inflammation and scar tissue formation.
- Surgery: Surgical procedures can disrupt muscle tissue, leading to adhesion development during the healing process.
- Inflammatory processes: Inflammation within the muscle can contribute to the buildup of collagen and the formation of adhesions.
- Lack of movement: Limited movement or immobility after an injury can impede proper healing and increase the likelihood of adhesions forming.
- Poor posture: Sustained poor posture can create chronic stress on specific muscle groups, contributing to adhesion development.
Symptoms of Muscle Adhesions
Symptoms can vary depending on the location and severity of the adhesions, but often include:
- Pain: Localized pain or tenderness in the affected area.
- Stiffness: Reduced range of motion and flexibility.
- Muscle weakness: Decreased strength in the affected muscles.
- Knots: Palpable, hard knots or bands in the muscle tissue.
Treating Muscle Adhesions
Treatment options include:
- Physical therapy: Stretching, massage, and other manual therapies can help to break down adhesions and improve mobility.
- Dry needling: A technique involving thin needles to release muscle tension and adhesions.
- Myofascial release: Techniques to address restrictions in the fascia.
- Self-care: Gentle stretching and self-massage can help prevent and manage adhesions.
The information provided above incorporates details from various sources, including definitions highlighting collagen buildup and the comparison to plaque on teeth, descriptions of locations and causes such as injuries and surgery, and mentions of symptoms and treatments like physical therapy and myofascial release.
