Occasionally clients will report symptoms that don't quite fit into any particular diagnostic category.  These symptoms are usually more general in nature involving larger areas of the muscles.

Cramps, Spasms, and Twitches

Muscle spasms are involuntary contractures of the muscles.   Spasms can result from:

• the build-up of lactic acid from overuse of the muscles during exercise and strenuous activity
• muscle fatigue
• dehydration
• poor posture
• stress or anxiety
• sustained positioning of the arms (holding the arms in one position can be more difficult on the body than repetitive use)

 A muscle in spasm may

• "twitch"
• cramp or feel like a "charley horse"
• feel hard
• feel tight 
• be painful with use
• feel "knotty" or "ropey"

Treatment:

• Ice packs (during initial 2-3 days)
• Hot packs (If sensations persist longer than 2-3 days)
• Slow Stretching
• Drink Plenty of Healthy Fluids
• Limit Caffeine Intake
• Assess and Correct Posture
• Massage
• Therapy Techniques
  • Electrical Stimulator Units
  • Ultrasound

Burning, Weakness & Tired, Heavy Arms

Feelings of burning, weakness and muscle tiredness can also be caused by lactic acid build-up in the muscles. 

• The build-up of lactic acid is a normal occurrence in muscles that provides energy and allows strenuous activity over a length of time.    
• Normally, lactic acid is flushed out of our system with muscle movement. 
• Muscular tension and sustained postures can cause the muscles to  tighten and bunch up, limiting the flow of lymphatic fluid and not allowing the lactic acid to be flushed.

Treatment:

• Muscle Conditioning
• Stretching Before and After activity
• Deep Breathing
• Drink Plenty of Healthy Fluids
• Limit Caffeine Intake
• Assess and Correct Posture

Myofascial Pain

The fascia is a sheer coating of tissue that binds all our body organs together and helps to give them their form. 

• Normally, all of our tissues are covered in fascia (muscle, tendons, nerves, skin, organs) and will slide and glide over each other smoothly. 
• Myofascia supports and separates each individual muscle. 
• Awkward, sustained postures or overuse of a muscle can cause a local inflammatory response, decreased blood flow to the area, and irritation in the muscle tissues. 
• The myofascia can "bind down" in one location causing referred symptoms in another area.

Symptoms of myofascial pain include:

• general weakness
• broad areas of pain 
• tender areas that, when pressed, will radiate pain to other locations (trigger points).
• muscle "hardness"

Treatment

• Massage techniques to release the trigger points
• Ice massage or use of cold packs
• Slow stretches
• Therapy techniques
  • ultrasound
  • electrical stimulation

What else can I do?

In addition to using the above treatment techniques, make sure to include general prevention and healing strategies into your routine:

• Develop good work habits and make positive work environment changes.  Apply these tendon and nerve protection principles to home and leisure activities as well as work activities.
  • Ergonomics
  • Work Habits
  • Tendon and nerve protection guidelines
• Improve general health and promote healing through positive life-style changes (personal wellness)
  • Diet and Nutrition
  • Stress Reduction
  • Exercise - general conditioning
  • Diaphragmatic Breathing Techniques
  • Sleeping Habits and Positioning
• Follow a specific exercise program for the muscles at risk including stretches for the tight muscles, strengthening for the weak muscles and activities that promote strong core and postural muscles
  • Stretches
  • Strengthening
  • Cardiovascular
  • Core Exercises