how can stiff and tight muscles result in back pain

Long-term back pain can sometimes be caused by something called “chronic passive tension.” Ligaments and tendons get stretched when your muscles are tense when you’re not using them. This makes you feel stiff all the time. Unless you have a muscle damage that hasn’t been found yet, you may have CPT.

They get tighter when you lift a big box, work at a desk all day, or even just get out of bed in the morning. “Active tension” is the term for this because those muscles are tightening on purpose.

A problem arises when they are too tight for too long. This is known as “passive tension.” In this case, the muscles stay tight without the person being aware of it. Some of the tendons and ligaments that connect to them get strained when you keep them that way, which can lead to back pain and other pain. To make things worse, it can also cause issues like disc injury.

Muscle pain vs. long-term pain

It’s important to know the difference between having tight muscles and just not being in shape. The first one is caused by a number of living choices, while the second one is mostly caused by not being active enough to reach and keep a certain level of strength.

Tight muscles always feel stiff, which is the biggest difference between the two. Sometimes being out of shape will make you sore, but it won’t be a problem that keeps you from moving around normally.

Most of the time, muscles that are tight are much stronger than muscles that are just out of shape. A muscle that’s already this tight can’t be stretched. When you try to stretch a rubber band that has been pulled too tightly, it doesn’t snap back to its original length like a relaxed muscle does.

Back pain and stiff muscles

When your back muscles are stiff, you might feel a dull ache that doesn’t get in the way of your daily life too much. Your pain isn’t too bad that it makes it impossible for you to sit, stand, or walk.

The ache itself is usually not bad enough to really get in the way of your life, but it can be an early sign that you might be getting back pain (especially if it comes with other signs like tiredness, stress, and bad posture).

If stiff muscles that won’t go away are getting in the way of your daily life, it’s time to get help. A chiropractor can figure out why you have constant back pain. Chiropractic care, therapeutic massage, and dry needling treatment can help you feel better for a long time.

When the muscles in your back hurt other places also

If your back muscles are stiff and you’re feeling other signs of pain coming on, it’s likely that your muscles have become so tight that they’re putting stress on the tendons and ligaments that connect to them.

This is when your pain might start to show up when you do normal things like stand or sit. If this happens, your muscles might start to hurt in places other than your back. Your back muscles are linked to your legs, knees, and feet, so back pain can spread to your calves and toes. Your neck and shoulders can get strained when the muscles in your upper body and core are too tight and weak. This can also cause pain in the neck or head.

Strength in the core and tight muscles

Weak core muscles are the cause of most of your problems. There is a group of muscles around your spine that run from your hips to your shoulders. They make up your core. They make sure your torso stays steady while you move and do everyday things, so you don’t hurt yourself.

Your upper body muscles have to take over when your core muscles aren’t strong enough to do it. These people weren’t made to lift that much weight, so they will hurt and get tired quickly.

They are more likely to get hurt because of this, which causes a negative feedback loop that keeps the problem going. It’s more important for your upper body muscles to help out when your core is weak. But that makes them stressed, so they get tired faster and are more likely to get hurt.

Can stretches help with back pain?

There’s no doubt about it: if your muscles are too tight, you should stretch them out to keep you from getting hurt. That being said, it’s not that easy. You will only make things worse if your muscles are already too tight to stretch out easily.

You have to stretch your muscles slowly so they don’t feel like they’re being pulled too hard because they are already too tight to be easily stretched. The best way to deal with this is to use light stretching with help. You need a person to help you stretch your muscles without putting yourself at risk of hurting yourself. Your partner should put light pressure on your leg, arm, or other body part while you stretch it.

Once more, I have to shamelessly plug my own services: a chiropractor can treat your pain and also show you stretches and other routines that will help.

Getting your core stronger

You can’t just stretch your way out of this problem if your muscles are already too tight to stretch out easily. Your core muscles need to get stronger so they don’t strain and hurt other parts of your body.

Do more than just work out your chest, butt, and legs when you work out. Your core muscles are just as important for your health as your other muscles. In fact, your other pains and aches are caused by weak core muscles! The best way to avoid pain in the future is to work on building your core muscles. These muscles keep your torso stable and stop your back muscles from pulling on your neck and shoulders.

This can be done with resistance bands, free weights, or even workouts you can do with your own body, like push-ups and planks.