What is the Difference Between Muscle Weakness and Muscle Inhibition?
Imagine you're trying to buckle down for a marathon training session and your legs just can't carry you. Or your time at the gym has suddenly decreased due to a lack of ability to lift your usual weights.
There might be two reasons for this: muscle weakness or inhibition.
Yes, they do sound alike. But there are important differences!
Maurice at Dynamic Fitness & Rehabilitation is here to help you better understand these and figure out what's happening with your body.
Muscle Weakness
Essentially “muscle weakness” refers to a loss of physical strength. You're trying your best, but those muscles simply don't seem to respond like they used to.
You might notice it when you're struggling to carry the groceries upstairs, finding it harder to open jars, or when you're having difficulty standing up from a seated position. It's these everyday tasks that become monumental challenges.
While this could be a consequence of a good workout, chronic cases can suggest a deeper issue, such as neuromuscular disease.
The root causes include:
Aging: As we age, we begin to lose anywhere from 3-8% of our muscle each decade after the age of 30, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Overuse: This happens when we push our bodies beyond their limit. Your body eventually will consider this as stress and start to create cortisol within the body. This will eventually affect strength.
Muscular compensation: Due to improper biomechanics and movement patterns, primary larger muscles such as the quadriceps, or pectoralis major take over to help keep the body moving the way you want it to move. What happens is the smaller muscle groups that aid in movement and stability start to get weaker.
Sedentary lifestyle: If you don’t use it, you lose it! Stay active!
This compensation eventually leads to pain and further dysfunction.
Don’t worry, there are ways that we can combat muscle weakness!
Effective Remedies for Muscle Weakness
Some of Maurice’s favorite ways to remedy muscle weakness are:
Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT): Focuses on assessing and correcting imbalances, enabling individuals to improve strength, stability, and overall movement patterns. Essentially, MAT aims to re-educate the nervous system to effectively engage during physical activities.
Physical Therapy: If you're experiencing severe strength loss, a physical therapist can craft a unique treatment plan that targets your specific problems. Not only does this help increase strength and improve mobility, but it might also prevent future injury or damage.
Dietary Changes: A lack of certain nutrients and minerals can be a factor. Be sure to consume a diet rich in lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Remember that hydration is vital – always aim to drink enough water daily!
Muscle Inhibition
Imagine, one day you are performing at your peak, and the next, they're refusing to contract as efficiently - a classic symptom of inhibition.
But what triggers this annoying and tiring physical feeling?
The root causes of muscle inhibition include:
Injury: When you get hurt, your body's natural response is to protect the area. It can do this in many ways, but one method is by inhibiting certain muscle groups to prevent further damage.
Neuromuscular disorders: These are conditions that affect the nerves that control your voluntary muscles. When these nerves are impaired, it can lead to this or, worse, complete failure.
Stress and anxiety: Stress can also lead to tension, and this tension can result in inhibition. If you're in a state of constant worry, your muscles may not function as they should.
Improper physical activity: When we push our bodies beyond their limit, they respond defensively, and sometimes this defense mechanism involves reducing the activity.
Just like with muscle weakness, there are several ways we can remedy muscle inhibition.
Effective Remedies for Muscle Inhibition
When working with clients who have muscle inhibition Maurice recommends:
Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT): This treatment involves identifying and activating specific muscles to improve strength, stability, and overall body mechanics. By using precise palpation techniques, MAT practitioners can pinpoint inactive muscles and develop targeted exercises to re-engage them.
Exercise: Regular physical activity, particularly strength training and stretching exercises, can help boost strength and flexibility.
Nutrition: What you eat can significantly impact your strength. Nutrients like protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins are crucial for repair and development.
Rest and recovery: Giving your body adequate time to rest and recover is just as important as appropriate exercise.
Read More>> The Basics Mechanics and Body Movement
Say Goodbye to Muscle Weakness or Inhibition
In both cases, it's crucial to pay attention to what our bodies are telling us. You might need to rest, partake in rehabilitative exercises or consult a medical professional.
Remember, you only get one body in this life—it’s essential to maintain and care for it properly.
Transforming your lifestyle may seem daunting, but small changes can have a big impact. Start small, stay consistent, and you're sure to see improvements.
Contact MAT specialist Maurice Harden at Dynamic Fitness & Rehabilitation today if you are experiencing any of these symptoms and take back control of your life and your strength!