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Weakness

Muscle weakness can be true weakness or perceived weakness. Perceived weakness is a person’s belief they are unable to perform a task due to fatigue. This is a common symptom of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. True muscle weakness can occur due to a number of reasons but can cause the individual a large amount of problems.

Toning and strengthening the shoulder muscles using a resistance band with a senior physiotherapist

What causes muscle weakness?

Muscle weakness can be caused by a variety of injuries and diseases, all of which would benefit from a Physiotherapy assessment. Some of the most common causes are:

• Muscle tear / muscle strain such as hamstring muscle strain, calf muscle strain, groin strain
  
• Immobility
• Neurological conditions (muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis)
• Muscle atrophy
• Nerve entrapment such as carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome and tarsal tunnel syndrome
  
• Arthritis

how our senior physiotherapists can help

Our senior physiotherapists can help with muscle weakness as they are trained to maximise and improve function. This includes optimising the physical abilities through movement and exercise.

Physiotherapy can:

• Increase muscle strength
• Improve and maintain joint integrity
• Improve the length of muscles
• Increase independence
• Decrease pain (pain relief physiotherapy)
  

These can all be addressed through physiotherapy interventions.

What Type of Physiotherapy Treatments can be expected for weakness?

There are a variety of modalities which can be used to treat clients who have muscle weakness. The treatment selection will be chosen upon the outcome of the assessment and the clinical judgement of the experienced Physiotherapist from Physio.co.uk. Some of the treatments may include:

• Strengthening exercises
• Stretching exercises
• Mobility rehabilitation
• Electrotherapy
• Acupuncture
• Cold therapy
• Heat therapy
• Ultrasound therapy
• Deep tissue release
• Clinical Pilates
  

Summary

Muscle weakness can decrease a person’s independence and prevent them for participating in their normal activities of daily living. Muscle weakness can predispose joints to injury through over exertion and instability of joints.

Our senior physiotherapists can offer a high quality professional service for those who are suffering from muscle weakness, providing an individualised physiotherapy and hand therapy assessment and customized therapy treatment program.

Please contact us to arrange an appointment.