Learn about the causes of Muscle Stiffness & find a practitioner in Auckland, Hamilton, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin to help you overcome Muscle Stiffness within New Zealand.
Muscle stiffness typically occurs after increased activity when muscle fibres are stretched beyond their usual limits and cause restricted movement. Muscle stiffness can be from under-oxygenation and build up of lactic acid in the muscle tissue leading to cramps. Muscle stiffness can also be an indicator of other problems such as flu, viral infection or an immune system deficiency. Elderly people can suffer acute and chronic muscle stiffness due to long periods of inactivity.
Stiff muscles are typically caused by a sedentary lifestyle, poor
circulation or over-activity. As the muscles receive less oxygen
through circulation of the blood, there is a build up of lactic acid
which can lead to cramps. Over-activity and stretching the muscle
fibres beyond their limits can result in muscle stiffness usually a day
after the activity has ceased. In some cases, viral infections such as
influenza can cause muscle stiffness.
When muscle stiffness
becomes acute or chronic, the condition is called fibromyalgia or
fibrositis. Fibromyalgia can be over the whole body as the condition
affects the muscles, tendons and ligaments.
Muscle stiffness
is also common in the elderly although the problem is not necessarily
due to age. Usually, elderly people are less active and the muscles do
not receive the required amount of stretching to keep them functioning
correctly.
Muscle stiffness symptoms include:
Most cases of muscle stiffness resolve themselves after a few days as
the muscle returns to its usual functioning state. However, if your
muscle stiffness is persistent or severe then you should visit your GP
to rule out any serious underlying problems.
If the GP suspects
fibromyalgia they will first attempt to rule out other conditions such
as chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis or multiple sclerosis using
blood tests, X-rays or other diagnostic scans.
Fibromyalgia
does not have a specific test to help diagnose the condition. To make a
diagnosis, the GP will use certain criteria such as:
*Source: GoToSee.co.uk
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