There is an abundance of muscle in the human body, and it’s only natural for some of the muscles to feel tight from time to time. Some people notice muscle tightness after physical activity. However, it can even affect those who sit behind a desk all day, and psychological stress may contribute to it as well.
One way of relieving tight muscles is by stretching. For example, a person may notice that his leg muscles feel tight after sitting for a long period of time. He may do hamstring, quadricep, and calf stretches to not only relieve tightness, but also to increase his flexibility and range of motion. Doing leg stretches and keeping the leg muscles in good shape can even help to prevent back injuries. Stretching can help to relieve tight, achy muscles in not only the legs, but also in the rest of the body.
Massage therapy is another treatment for muscle tightness. Massages can help to relax tired, tight, achy muscles. A person may go to a professional massage therapist for a tightness-relieving massage, or he may ask a friend or family member to do it for him. There are many books and videos available that teach different types of massage techniques. As an added bonus, a person may also enjoy stress relief as a direct result of massage therapy.
Some people swear by a soak in a warm bathtub for relieving muscle tightness. Soaking in warm water may provide some relief from the achiness of tight muscles. Like massage, soaking in a tub of warm water can also be a good way to relieve stress. Many people like to add something to the water, such as Epsom salts. Relaxing in a Jacuzzi® can be good for relaxing tight, tired muscles as well.
Often, tight muscles are accompanied by mild to moderate pain, which can be treated with over-the-counter medications. For example, a person may use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve pain caused my muscle tightness. Tight, strained muscles may also benefit from rest and cold compresses. This method involves resting the strained muscle and applying ice wrapped in a towel for 15 minutes at a time, leaving the ice off the area for a minimum of 20 minutes after each application. In lieu of ice, a person may use a specially designed cold pack or even a bag of frozen vegetables to enjoy the same effect.
