Injuries can occur anywhere and at anytime, but the most
prevalent place of occurrence is in the workplace. The reason
for such a high rate of injury is that people spend 8-18 hours
a day, 5-7 days a week performing unidirectional (one-way)
movement patterns, causing an imbalance in the musculoskeletal
system that results in the overuse and under use of certain
muscle groups. If left unchecked, these injuries can be come
chronic, resulting in pain and dysfunction that can last for
years.

Usually, when one muscle group is overused, the opposing muscle
group, acting as a stabilizer, becomes underused. When this
imbalance establishes itself in the musculoskeletal system, the
body does not function as designed. Instead of muscles working
together to perform a specified function, they work against
each other, causing the body to exert more energy to perform
the same task that previously was perceived by the body as
“simple”.

When muscles become too short and tight, they lose their
strength as they are in a chronic semi-contracted state and
cannot contract (shorten) efficiently due to being pre-fatigued
and the fact that they are already in a state where they are too
short for proper function. If a muscle is already in a
shortened, semi-contracted state, it cannot contract, or
shorten very far. And the farther a muscle can contract
(shorten) and move, the greater the strength and endurance the
muscle will have. Chronically tight, restrictive muscles just
don’t function very well and they impinge structures around and
beneath them such as nerves and blood vessels, causing disorders
like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Cubital Tunnel Syndrome and many
other associated Repetitive Strain injuries. Short muscles also
pull bones out of alignment, which causes a joint imbalance,
often resulting in severe pain and dysfunction.

The same goes for underused muscles. Underdeveloped muscles are
weak due to lack of direct stimulation. Weak muscles are usually
too long, unless they are in a state of spasm, which occurs as a
protective response in order to keep from being overstretched.
Weak underdeveloped muscles cannot act as efficient stabilizers
when the opposing muscle(s) are called into action, which again
causes a joint imbalance to develop, as weak muscles cannot
stabilize bones in their proper position / alignment. Weather a
muscle is short and tight or long and weak, the strength and
length imbalance of the affected muscle(s) must be corrected
for the body to function optimally without pain, dysfunction
and reduced mobility of the involved muscles / joints.

Muscle imbalances are the cause of most biomechanical disorders
in the body. From Carpal Tunnel Syndrome to Thoracic Outlet
Syndrome, an existing muscle imbalance is at the root cause of
the disorder in 90% of the cases. Too many modalities focus on
the “band-aid principal”, allowing the muscle imbalance go on
for years with a little bit of relief here and there. Now is
the time to focus on the actual “cause(s)” of these disorders
and eliminate them altogether. With the appropriate exercise
and stretch routine, most musculoskeletal disorders can be
eliminated quickly and effectively.

Correcting muscle imbalances is achieved through a process
consisting of a number of stretches and exercises. Soft-tissue
treatment and hot/cold therapy may be utilized to help expedite
the rate of recovery if it is so desired. Usually the nature of
performing both stretches and exercises within the same program
can be quite effective at eliminating the existing condition
without the addition of the soft tissue treatment and
hydrotherapy. Word of caution; there is a treatment sequence to
addressing muscle imbalances if the best results are to be
achieved. If random stretches and exercises are performed, an
individual may cause themselves more harm than good.

A general rule when addressing a chronic muscle imbalance is to
execute the following program:

1. Heat Therapy* : Use heating-pad 5 Min. to warm the affected
joint and surrounding muscles, preparing them for upcoming
stretches and exercises. (Be sure that all sides of the joint
and surrounding muscles are warmed-up.)

2. Soft-Tissue Treatment*: Soft tissue treatment utilizing
Effleurage and Trigger Point Therapy to reduce muscle spasm and
relax the tight, restrictive overused muscles can be very
effective in correcting muscle imbalances. Utilizing Transverse
Friction Massage (TFM) on specifically weak, injured muscles
and/or tendons to break down adhesions on the soft tissues can
also be very effective in reducing overall pain and
dysfunction.) Performing basic massage to the tight muscles is
the easiest way to address the issue without getting too
complex.)

3. Stretching Routine: Once the muscles are warmed up,
stretching the tight, restrictive muscle group is key to
increasing their length and reducing their impingement of
surrounding tissues as well as reducing their effect on the
misalignment of the joint. (Stretching the weak, underdeveloped
muscles is not recommended as they are already too long and do
not need to be lengthened further.)

4. Exercise Routine: Once the tight restrictive muscles have
been lengthened from the stretches, it is time to exercise the
opposing muscle group, the one that is weak and underdeveloped,
in order to shorten and strengthen the muscles in order to
reduce the tensile stresses imposed on them from the opposing
tight muscle group. Exercising and strengthening the weak
underdeveloped muscles not only forces the opposing muscle
group to relax and lengthen further, but it also helps to
maintain the length created in those muscles from the previous
stretches. (Do not perform stretches after the exercises as
this misaligns the joints and causes muscle rebounding. Always
perform stretches first when addressing chronic muscle
imbalances and then immediately follow with exercises.)

5. Contrast Bath*: Utilizing a contrast bath at the end of the
complete routine can be helpful in reducing muscle spasm,
remove toxins from the muscles and increase circulation and
overall nutrient flow to the injury, helping to aid an increase
the speed of recovery. Basic procedure is 3-minutes heat to
1-minute of cold. Repeat 3-times, finishing with cold.

This general treatment program for chronic repetitive strain
injuries resulting from muscle imbalances is very effective and
often eliminates all of the symptoms previously associated with
the injury, quickly and effectively. Always consult a physician
before beginning any type of exercise or treatment program.

Remember, Your Health is in Your Hands!


About The Author: Jeff P. Anliker is a Therapist, Author and
Inventor of Flextend, Flextend-AC, Flextend-TFT and other
therapeutic products that are utilized by Corporations,
Consumers and Medical Facilities around the world.
http://www.repetitive-strain.com

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