Muscle Contracture: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment in Tarragona

A muscle contracture is an involuntary and persistent contraction of a muscle or muscle group that persists over time. Unlike a muscle spasm, which is brief and transient, a contracture remains for days or even weeks if not treated properly.

This type of injury frequently affects the cervical area, the trapezius, the lower back, and the calves. It is one of the most common reasons for consultation at our physiotherapy centre in Tarragona, as it can occur in both athletes and sedentary individuals.

Contractures can be caused by multiple factors, the most common being:

The most characteristic symptoms of a muscle contracture include localised pain in the affected area, which may radiate to nearby areas, and a feeling of stiffness that limits normal movement. When palpating the area, nodules or taut bands can be felt within the muscle.

The pain usually worsens with activity and partially improves with rest, although it does not disappear completely. In cervical contractures, associated headaches are common. When the contracture affects the lower back, it can make everyday actions such as bending down or getting out of bed difficult.

At Fontanet Medicina i Fisioterapia we have various techniques to address muscle contractures comprehensively. Treatment is personalised according to the location, intensity and causes of the contracture.

Manual therapy is the fundamental pillar, using decontracting massage and deep tissue techniques. We also apply dry needling to myofascial trigger points, a highly effective technique for deactivating tension nodules and restoring normal muscle function.

In more resistant cases, focused shockwave therapy can help break up adhesions and stimulate tissue regeneration. Analgesic electrotherapy and ultrasound complement the treatment by reducing local inflammation.

The back is by far where we treat the most contractures, and they do not behave the same depending on the level at which they appear.

Neck and trapezius contractures are the office-work and stress ones: they pull towards the nape, limit turning the head and often drag a headache along. If the pattern returns every few weeks it is worth looking at properly, because there is usually a postural cause behind it; we cover it in the article on neck pain.

Mid-back contractures, between the shoulder blades, come from hours at a computer and from breathing as one block. Lower back ones are the most alarming, because they block everyday movements such as bending down or getting out of bed, and are easy to mistake for something worse; in the article on lower back pain we explain how to tell them apart from disc-related lumbago.

In all three the treatment starts from the same place: manual therapy to bring the muscle tone down, dry needling if there are active trigger points and then exercise, which is the only thing that prevents the next one. For that we have guided programmes of exercises for neck pain and exercises for lower back pain that can be followed at home.

Prevention is essential to avoid the recurrence of contractures. At our centre in Tarragona, we educate patients on correct postural habits, design personalised stretching routines and recommend specific strengthening exercises.

Maintaining good hydration, taking active breaks during sedentary work and warming up properly before physical activity are simple but highly effective measures. If you work long hours in front of a computer, make sure your workstation is properly set up ergonomically.

If the contracture persists for more than 3-4 days without improvement, if the pain is severe and limits your daily activities, or if contractures are recurrent, it is important to see a professional. At Fontanet Medicina i Fisioterapia we carry out a thorough assessment to identify the root cause of the problem and propose an appropriate treatment plan that not only relieves symptoms but also prevents future recurrences.