What Causes Muscle Stiffness in Everyday Life?
Muscle stiffness is when you feel tightness or pain in your muscles, usually after sitting for a long time or engaging in a new or intense exercise. There are other causes that can bring on muscle stiffness while doing everyday routines, such as carrying a baby, bending the wrong way, or sleeping in a different position. The good news is that muscle stiffness typically doesn't last very long and can be easily treated.
Is Muscle Stiffness a Reason for Concern?
While muscle stiffness causes discomfort, it usually goes away without requiring medical treatment. Fortunately, it is easy to find relief from the causes of muscle stiffness through stretching, exercising, and improving posture. If you are experiencing symptoms such as swelling, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, and fever along with the muscle stiffness, then that may be a cause for concern.
What Are The Causes of Muscle Stiffness?
There are various causes of muscle stiffness, which may make it a little difficult at first to pinpoint the source. Once you find what's causing the stiffness, it will be easier to come up with a solution and find relief faster. If you are experiencing additional symptoms such as sore throat, fatigue, and chest pain, then you should see a healthcare provider, as this could indicate an infection.
Most muscle stiffness causes include:
- Muscle strains or sprains
- Insect bites or stings
- Dehydration
- Being sedentary for long periods of time
- Certain medications used during surgery
How to Relieve Stiff Muscles At Home
It is possible to relieve the symptoms that muscle stiffness causes with home remedies or over-the-counter medication. Being able to treat your symptoms without surgery or medical procedures makes it convenient and gives you the option to try different methods. It may take several different tries to find the best remedy for you, or you may need to try a few at the same time.
Some ways to relieve the causes of muscle stiffness include:
- Using cold and heat therapy
- Relaxing in a zero gravity recliner
- Massaging the stiff muscles
- Stretching throughout the day
- Lay in a warm bath for increased blood circulation
- Improve your posture
1. Cold and Heat Therapy on Stiff Muscles
Switching between cold and heat therapy several times throughout the day for about twenty minutes at a time can help ease the pain. You can alternate between using ice packs, heating pads, cold compresses, or a heated zero gravity chair. By alternating between hot and cold therapy, you can reduce inflammation while also loosening muscles at the same time.
2. Zero Gravity Recliner
A zero gravity chair may provide relief for muscle stiffness with features such as heat, massage, and its zero gravity position, which may aid in blood circulation. It can also make you feel relaxed while providing relief at the same time. Owning a zero gravity recliner makes it easy and convenient to reduce the causes of muscle stiffness without even leaving the house.
3. Massaging the Stiff Muscles
Massaging stiff muscles can help you whether you hurt your back picking up your child, slept in an awkward position, or put in a long, sedentary day at the office. If paying for a massage is too costly for you, you can ask a friend or spouse to help. You can also invest in a massage gun or zero gravity chair with the massage feature so you can get a massage and soothe your muscles anytime you want.
4. Stretching Often
Doing frequent stretches can help loosen your muscles and improve limited range of motion, especially before and after a workout. If you have a desk job, take frequent breaks and do simple stretches such as toe touches to keep your muscles from going stiff. Engaging in stretching activities like yoga or static stretching (holding a stretch for a period of time) is also effective.
5. Warm Bath
Soaking in a warm bath can reduce muscle stiffness by relaxing the muscles and improving circulation. Make sure that the water is warm, and then soak for about 15 minutes. You can enhance your bath and make it more beneficial and relaxing by incorporating Epsom salt and essential oils into the water.
6. Improve Your Posture
Correcting your bad sitting habits can help with muscle stiffness, especially if your back muscles are stiff. Taking up activities such as yoga, meditation, and pilates encourages you to keep a balanced posture and is great for helping with muscle stiffness. If you find yourself constantly slouching at work, eating, sitting, etc., then make a conscious effort to keep your back and shoulders straight with your feet on the floor and knees slightly bent.
Besides sitting posture, you should also focus on your sleeping posture. If you find yourself waking up in an awkward position with muscle pain, then you should consider switching your posture when you go to bed. If you still have ongoing back pain after sleeping, then consider working out your lower back muscles.
How Can I Prevent Causes of Muscle Stiffness?
There are various ways to prevent muscle stiffness, including improving posture, doing physical therapy at home, hiring a physical therapist, and moving throughout the day. Massaging your muscles after a workout can also help prevent any stiffness or soreness, as well as paying attention to how you sleep. Being aware of your typical sleeping position can help you point out the causes of muscle stiffness later on.
How to Prevent the Causes of Muscle Stiffness
Muscle stiffness can be caused by performing simple daily activities such as working out, lifting weights, carrying something heavy like a large box, sleeping on a different mattress, etc. Fortunately, once you pin what are the causes of muscle stiffness, you can easily get the treatment you need to find relief. Another added benefit is that most of these symptoms can be treated without medical procedures, but you should still speak to your doctor before making any changes to your routine.
Disclaimer: This content is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare professional when considering implementing changes to your health or workout routines to ensure it’s compatible with your needs.
