Myalgia or myofascitis is the 25 cent word for this very common and sometimes debilitating symptom. The cause of muscle stiffness and related pain boils down to either trama related from a fall, sports or auto collision, muscle tear from sudden explosive muscle contraction when a muscle is "cold", or insufficiently stretched, or neurologically controlled through a reflexive "splint spasm". A splint is used to temporarily immobilize an area of the body injured traumatically, until a proper cast is performed.

The term "splint spasm" refers to the process that occurs when a nerve is irritated or injured. Since the nervous system controls all bodily functions, it communicates with surrounding nerves to let them know they must assist in helping the injured nerve`s workload, as well as begin a protective mechanism to avoid further damage, by partially immobilizing the region around the nerve. This is why the spasms occur, and like any involuntary muscle contraction, spams become tender and stiff. Normal motion of the joints the muscle group moves are rigid and weakened.

This protective mechanism therefore effectively "freezes" or locks the normal joint motion, so no further irritation can occur to the nerve involved. 

The idea is to freeze the area, so the cause of the nerve irritation is resolved. When the splinting involves the spine, the vertebrae from which the nerve emits is often the cause of the whole process. That`s why after a car accident people are so stiff after a few days, because the joints, ligaments and muscles have all been tramatized simultaneously. We offer a comprehensive treatment approach to myalgia combining chiropractic, myofascial release and medical massage therapy, and physical therapy, particularly laser therapy and electrical muscle stimulation.

All these therapys are time tested, and well documented to quickly relieve the symptoms and heal the underlying cause so the problem won`t recur.