Preview
Most post-op pain is caused by guarding which is why it's never a good idea to take pain meds in order to tolerate PT. Guarding happens when the muscle - which, believe it or not, has a memory - goes into spasm when you are doing things, or having things done to you, which it knows it won't like. So it goes into spasm to prevent that movement being done. Adjacent muscles can join in this defensive behaviour. But if you force the movement anyway, you risk spraining or even...
Muscle guarding, Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness and Trigger points
Most post-op pain is caused by guarding which is why it's never a good idea to take pain meds in order to tolerate PT. Guarding happens when the muscle - which, believe it or not, has a memory - goes into spasm when you are doing things, or having things done to you, which it knows it won't like. So it goes into spasm to prevent that movement being done. Adjacent muscles can join in this defensive behaviour. But if you force the movement anyway, you risk spraining or even...
Muscle guarding, Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness and Trigger points