5 Muscle Problems, Solved
Simple moves to stay strong, limber and slim—now and in the years to come
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Problem No. 1: Tightness
The lowdown We modern-day Homo sapiens are particularly prone to this problem because of extended periods of inactivity—think long days in front of a computer or sitting in a car. When your movement is restricted in this way, "your hips are bent, which shortens your hip flexors—the muscles at the front—while lengthening your back hip muscles, or glutes," explains Rebecca Petersen, co-ordinator of the motion-analysis program at Stamford Hospital's Orthopedic and Spine Institute in Stamford, Conn. That shortening can tighten your hip flexors (and possibly other muscles, too, like those in your back and/or calves) over time and leave you more vulnerable to tears and strains.
What it feels like Your muscles are tense and contracted, and your range of motion may be limited.
Rx The goal is to get up and get moving as much as possible, Petersen says, whether that's taking a quick walk every hour at work or doing some periodic light stretching when you're being a couch potato for the day. And if you're a gym rat—which is great!—make sure that you're working all your muscle groups equally. "A lot of women are overdeveloped in their front—biceps, quads, chest—while not doing exercises for their back, shoulders or glutes," notes Robert Gotlin, DO, director of orthopedic and sports rehabilitation at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. "Those imbalances can cause the front muscles to overcompensate for the weaker ones, leading to tightness." So in addition to your bicep curls, push-ups and squats, do tricep dips, bent-over rows and upright rows.
An easy DIY massage Ouch! We've all gotten knots in our backs, technically known as muscle adhesions—tight, sensitive areas that form when muscle fibers become stuck together. This can happen if you're fatigued as a result of repetitive motion or dehydrated. To score relief ASAP: Place a tennis ball right beneath the knot and lie directly on it, using your body weight as pressure, suggests Brandon Lannan, a massage therapist at L'Auberge de Sedona in Sedona, Ariz. Breathe slowly for 30 to 60 seconds, allowing the muscle tension to release.
Problem No. 2: Soreness
The lowdown Stressing your muscles—say, by lifting weights or doing squats—creates microscopic tears, says Alexis Colvin, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. The tears make you sore, yes, but the process of breaking and rebuilding muscle could ultimately increase its mass, so you grow leaner and stronger.
What it feels like Mild to moderate tenderness or pain that peaks a day or so after a workout—a phenomenon known as delayed-onset muscle soreness. You may notice some mild swelling, stiffness in nearby joints and weakness in the affected muscles.
Rx Your impulse may be to laze around, but don't: "You want to perform some activity, even if it's just walking, to encourage oxygen consumption and blood flow—that stimulates the muscle to repair itself faster," Gotlin says. Ice the sore area every couple of hours for 10 to 15 minutes and/or take an over-the-counter NSAID, such as ibuprofen, to help relieve pain and swelling. And get some sleep, Gotlin urges: While you do, your body works to heal muscle.
Problem No. 3: Cramps
The lowdown You're blissfully asleep...until you wake up to mind-numbing pain in your calf. Yep, you've got a muscle cramp—or what some people call a charley horse. "These are caused by spasms, or involuntary contractions, and are usually due to being dehydrated," since our muscles need fluid to contract and relax normally, Gotlin says. (This explains why you're particularly prone to getting them during the summer or after a long flight.) They tend to be more common as we age: As we lose muscle mass, what remains may become overstressed more easily, potentially causing cramps. You may also get them during pregnancy as your muscles stretch out.
What they feel like A sudden, sharp pulling sensation. Cramps most commonly occur in the calf or thigh—areas vulnerable to overuse or injury—but they can happen in any muscle, Gotlin says.
Rx Massage and stretch the area. If possible, apply moist heat. To prevent cramps: When exercising outdoors, sip a sports drink to replenish electrolytes (including potassium, magnesium and calcium, which can help prevent cramping) and/or snack on potassium-rich bananas or raisins.
Problem No. 4: Aging
The lowdown At their peak, muscles make up about 40 percent of your body weight. But their mass starts to decline after age 30. "The number and size of muscle fibers decrease," explains Susan Joy, MD, director of the Cleveland Clinic Community Health Sports Network. This decrease accelerates around perimenopause, when testosterone levels, which are essential to maintaining muscle mass, begin falling. The water content of your tendons lessens, too, causing stiffness.
What it feels like You may gain weight, notice a drop in strength or find that you tire more quickly during exercise.
Rx Pump it up! Research shows that lifting weights twice a week for 20 minutes will stave off these changes.
Problem No. 5: Strains
The lowdown While getting microtears after a workout is common, larger tears—which may occur when a muscle is strained by stretching beyond its natural limit or suffering a blow—aren't. Strains can happen in any muscle but often strike your thighs while you're doing high-speed activities like sprinting or soccer.
What they feel like Sudden, severe pain accompanied by popping or snapping. "Unlike soreness, this happens during the workout," Gotlin says. You may also see swelling and bruising.
Rx Try a couple of days of RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) and take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. But if the pain doesn't seem to be getting better after 72 hours, see your doctor. You'll need to limit your movement until the strain is healed; you may need crutches and physical therapy.
To stretch or not to stretch?
Most of us grew up doing a round at the beginning of gym class. But a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention review found that while static stretches—those held without moving—may improve flexibility, they don't prevent injuries when performed prior to a workout. In fact, stretching before your muscles have gotten moving can actually lead to strains. Instead, do a five-minute active warm-up pre-exercise (like walking or jumping jacks) to raise blood flow. Then do these stretches after your workout:
Tricep stretch With arms overhead, hold right elbow with left hand. Gently pull elbow behind head. Repeat with left elbow.
Upper-body stretch While standing or sitting, interlace fingers behind back. With palms facing outward, slowly push arms back and up.
Shoulder stretch Gently pull right elbow across chest toward left shoulder. Repeat with left elbow.
Hamstring stretch Sit on floor and straighten left leg. Bend right leg so sole of foot is next to left inner thigh. Sit up tall and lean forward from hips, reaching toward left foot. Repeat with right leg.
Quad stretch While standing, hold left foot with right hand and pull heel toward center of buttocks. Repeat with right foot.
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