Muscle stiffness or tightness

What causes it?

The most common causes of muscle stiffness or tightness are parkinson disease, sprain or strain, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Other possible causes, such as spinal stenosis, are more rare.

What symptoms are related?

Within all the people who go to their doctor with muscle stiffness or tightness, 47% report having ache all over, 47% report having neck pain, and 47% report having back pain.

What might my doctor prescribe?

Common Tests and Procedures

Patients with muscle stiffness or tightness often receive physical therapy exercises, magnetic resonance imaging, x-ray computed tomography, application of splint, occupational therapy assessment, cat scan of head, hip replacement; total and partial and physical therapy exercises; manipulation; and other procedures .

Common Medications

The most commonly prescribed drugs for patients with muscle stiffness or tightness include diclofenac, carbidopa / levodopa, pregabalin (lyrica), ropinirole, sumatriptan (imitrex), metaxalone (skelaxin), sodium acetate, ascorbic acid, verapamil (univer), nortriptyline, clozapine, hydrocortisone and mirtazapine .

Who is at risk?

Groups of people at highest risk for muscle stiffness or tightness include race/ethnicity = other age 60-74 years. On the other hand, age 1-4 years and age < 1 years almost never get muscle stiffness or tightness.