What is Chronic Passive Tension?
Chronic Passive Tension is the presence of chronic tension in a muscle while the muscle is at rest.
When Chronic Passive Tension is present, muscles continue contracting during periods of inactivity, such as sleep or sitting for long periods. The result is often pain to a muscle, joint, tendon or ligament.
Chronic Passive Tension can limit range of motion by shortening the muscles that control the joint.
If the muscles and associated tendons are short
and tight before an activity begins, the body has to work harder to perform
the activity. This additional work, combined with the decreased blood
flow that is also a result of Chronic Passive Tension, results in increased
fatigue and even more tension.
If this pattern persists, the tension continues to build until it develops into pain. The pain may at first be occasional, but can become chronic. Once this pattern develops in soft tissue it is very difficult, if not impossible, to change without assistance.
Chronic Passive Tension should not be confused with active tension.
Active
muscle tension builds during physical activity and is a normal process
for skeletal muscles during aerobic activity or while exerting higher
amounts of energy. Anyone who is inactive and begins a new form of exercise
will experience the tension associated with the building of new muscle
mass. As
muscles grow, they go through a tension-building period that should release
once the tissue is accustomed to the activity. However, if the muscle
is not allowed to rest, either because of continued overuse, poor posture,
trauma or emotional stress, Chronic Passive Tension can develop. PUSH
TherapySM will release the Chronic Passive Tension and help prevent it
from returning.