Is muscle fibrosis caused by muscular rigidity

Muscle fibrosis usually manifests as muscle stiffness, but not all cases of muscle stiffness belong to muscle fibrosis. Muscle fibrosis is a pathological process in which muscle tissue is replaced by fibrous connective tissue, which may be caused by long-term strain, inflammation, or trauma. Simple muscle stiffness may be a temporary phenomenon caused by short-term overexertion or poor posture.

Muscle fibrosis often occurs in areas of long-term repetitive strain injury or chronic inflammation, such as the shoulder muscles of patients with shoulder periarthritis and the back muscles of long-term bedridden individuals. The muscle sensation in such situations is similar to that of a hard rubber, accompanied by restricted movement and persistent pain. Fibrotic areas may form obvious cord like indurations, which are difficult to relieve by massage or stretching, and need to be diagnosed through ultrasound examination or biopsy. Common causes include diabetes peripheral neuropathy, rheumatic polymyalgia, dermatomyositis and other autoimmune diseases. The hardening of ordinary muscles is often caused by lactate accumulation, dehydration, or electrolyte imbalance, and is commonly observed within 24 hours after exercise. This stiff sensation is similar to a tight rubber band, which can be relieved within a few days through hot compress, mild stretching, and hydration. Maintaining a specific posture for too long may also cause local muscle protective spasms, such as stiffness in the posterior neck muscles caused by prolonged bowing, which can often recover on its own after changing posture. If the muscles continue to harden for more than two weeks or are accompanied by redness, swelling, heat, and pain, it is recommended to seek medical attention from a rehabilitation or rheumatology and immunology department as soon as possible. Daily attention should be paid to sufficient warm-up and stretching before and after exercise to avoid sudden increase in exercise intensity. Sedentary individuals should exercise for 5 minutes per hour and engage in flexibility training such as wall leaning angel and cat cow exercises. Insufficient protein intake may exacerbate muscle repair disorders. It is recommended to consume high-quality proteins such as eggs and fish in moderation daily. Patients with autoimmune diseases should strictly follow medical advice to control the primary disease.