Muscle Guarding; Why deep massage isn't always the right approach.

Sometimes I don't have the words to describe what I'm trying to explain.

Have you ever had a spasm?

Have you ever tensed up in pain even when someone touches you lightly?

Last week in ballet class, my friend was talking about her back recovery, and how deep massage from her physio was avoided because it caused "muscle guarding".

I was like OMG yes finally another practitioner who understands why deeper is not always better and they have words for it!

Muscle guarding is a natural response that is designed to protect vulnerable, painful, injured parts of the body. 

It can be the ongoing spasm that is present over several days or weeks, or the immediate tensing up when someone touches a sore spot.

The body implements muscle guarding to act like a splint and immobilise the area so that it's condition doesn't worsen.

It's a normal short term response, but prolonged muscle guarding can cause persistent pain, restricted movement, weakness, and psychological distress.

Pain or perceived threat triggers protective splinting, causing muscle tension to brace and splint the vulnerable or damaged area, which is useful at first but if it persists it can also impede healing and recovery.

There are ways to overcome this perceived threat by helping the body to feel safe enough to relax.

It may take time, depending on various factors but especially how long the pain has already been present.

Addressing discomfort immediately will result in a faster recovery, most of the time, rather than waiting without appropriate soft tissue intervention. 

(In other words, treat that spasm straight away so it doesn't become chronic or complex!)

Some of the tactics involved in overcoming perceived threat include movements (prescribed with specificity to the area), mind-body practices like breathing exercises, short term avoidance of some of those activities that aggravate it, strength development, appropriate massage and gentle myotherapy techniques (like cupping or gua Sha).

Intense, deep massage may sometimes elicit a muscle guarding response, regardless of if there is any pathology to the area.

It is important for the therapist and patient to have ongoing communication throughout treatment sessions.

It is also important for the therapist to have the ability to pick up on non-verbal cues.

The patient will benefit from learning to deepen their skills of interoception and self-awareness, so they are able to communicate that towards the therapist, for better treatment outcomes.

TLDR:

-Muscles might contract in an attempt to protect themselves.

-Deep massage is not always appropriate, sometimes gentle is better.

-Address any pain or spasm immediately, waiting might make it worse.