By: Sayaka Thiessen, Waterloo Physiotherapist

I am sure most of use have experienced a muscle that feels tight and stiff. Most people immediately think to stretch the affected area, but is that always the solution? 

If you have stretched to the ends of the earth but you still feel tight, it might be time to change the approach and try to strengthen it. The sensation of “tightness” doesn’t always mean a short muscle. It could, in fact, mean that the muscle is weak or that a joint lacks motor control and needs to be trained. 

Getting assessed by a healthcare professional, like a physiotherapist, you can determine if stretching, or strengthening, or a combination of the two is the way forward. 

Looking for a physiotherapist in Waterloo? Sayaka might be a good fit for you, read more HERE.