The County Woman Magazine www.TheCountyWoman.com March/April 2016

2 Medical ProfessionalsMuscle Spasms and Soft Tissue Mobilization

Michelle Leslie, PTA Barnegat Physical Therapist Assistant

Michelle began her prerequisites for the PTA program while working as a PT technician in an out-patient facility where she pursued her interest in the field over an eight

year span. She earned her Associate degree in applied science for Physical Therapist Assistant program in 2014 from Walters State Community College in Morristown, TN. Her clinical rotations included out patient, in patient, transitional care

unit, orthopedics, skilled nursing, acute and sub acute care setting. She has been a member of the American Physical Therapist Association since 2012. Her passion for wanting to help people and make a difference in lives continues to grow daily. Michelle’s proficient interests include but are not limited to orthopedics, SI dysfunctions, muscle energy techniques, joint mobilizations, disorder of lumbar spine, myofascial release and soft tissue mobilization.Michelle has continued her education with participation in: “Building Better Balance & Preventing Falls” course.

What is a Muscle Spasm? A muscle spasm is an involuntary contraction of a muscle that can cause pain

or discomfort. A sustained muscle spasm can be known as a muscle cramp, which can be a mild nuisance or an incapacitating pain limiting your ability to prepare dinner, go grocery shopping or get a good night sleep. A spasm can be experienced in multiple areas of the body including your neck, shoulders, low back, hips, legs and many places in between.

What Causes Me to Get Muscle Spasms? There are many reasons why someone may develop muscle spasms

including muscle fatigue, muscle weakness, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, medications, insufficient potassium and sodium levels, vitamin deficiencies, or circulatory or nervous system dysfunction. Also there are several external factors that play a role in someone developing muscle spasms including stress, improper body mechanics with lifting, poor posture with prolonged sitting and standing activities, or sometimes even a simple or repetitive movement can trigger a muscle spasm. Occasionally, living a more sedentary lifestyle can be a reason for such symptoms to occur as a result of prolonged sitting or lying with decreased daily activities.

What Are the Symptoms of a Muscle Spasm? Pain, muscle stiffness, discomfort, and temporary immobilization or range

of motion limitations are a few examples of symptoms you may feel while experiencing a muscle spasm.

What Are the Risk Factors of Muscle Spasms? Certain factors may increase your risk of getting muscle spasms such as

age, inadequate hydration before and during activity, and specific medical conditions. With age, people lose muscle mass which can cause muscles to become overstressed much more easily and can allow muscle spasms to prevail.

Some athletes who participate in outdoor summer and winter events as well as indoor events can become fatigued and dehydrated which can also assist with developing muscle spasms or muscle cramping. Certain medical conditions as well as pregnancy may play a role in initiating such discomfort in the experience of spasms or cramping.

How to Prevent Muscle Spasms? Exercise, diet and daily stretching of your upper, middle and lower body are ways to prevent muscle spasms. Staying active is very important and can help with muscle spasm prevention. Easy way to stay active include attending classes at your local gym or community, daily stretching, or going for walks in your neighborhood or the mall. It is important to remember to stay hydrated before and after exercise and to take breaks if needed.

How Can Physical Therapy Help Me? After an initial evaluation is performed by a Physical Therapist, a

specialized program will be designed and developed just for you, to address your specific diagnosis and current symptoms. Depending on the location of your ailment, treatments could include strengthening, flexibility, range of motion exercises, and endurance training. Manual techniques consisting of passive range of motion, manual stretching, low-load prolonged stretching, manual resistive exercises and soft

tissue mobilization may also be included to benefit and maximize your specialized program. Following each session each patient will be educated

on a home exercise program to maintain progress made and prevent reoccurring symptoms. Simple modifications can also be made to your at-home work station or household set up to prevent poor body mechanics and positioning with everyday activities. A licensed physical therapist will be able to assist you by performing soft tissue mobilizations as another possibility of treatment. Soft tissue mobilization is a hands on technique in which muscles and associated connective tissue are mobilized and massaged to decrease tension and stretch muscle fascia. Soft tissue mobilization can decrease muscle tension, break up scar tissue and improve mobility. By performing this specific technique it allows your muscles to relax and restore pain free mobility. Soft tissue mobilization can treat problems affecting the low back as well as upper and lower extremity pain such as tennis elbow, golfers elbow, biceps tendonitis, rotator cuff repair, total hip/knee replacements, plantar fasciitis and many other diagnoses. At All-Care Physical Therapy Center, we are able to address these issues and develop an individualized treatment plan to alleviate symptoms and help you reach your goals.

Visit www.AllCarePTC.com orcall 609-660-1900 for the Barnegat location.