Paratonia: causes, symptoms and treatment

An alteration of muscle activation that can have several possible causes.

The human body has approximately 639 musclesof which some are under our voluntary control (skeletal muscles), while another group act autonomously (smooth muscles).

In some situations, skeletal muscles present atypical behaviors that are beyond our control; in the case of paratonia there is usually a disproportionate level of tension in some muscular region.

In this article we will see what paratonia consists ofto what level it can affect to our organism, the cases where this situation usually appears, the ways of diagnosing it and its treatment, besides some ways of prevention.

What is paratonia?

What happens during paratonia is that we suffer an inability to relax the skeletal muscles voluntarily; On the contrary, the muscle presents an abnormal tension and contracts without our being able to avoid it..

This symptomatology can be caused by various factors associated with somatomotor disorders, trauma in some parts of the body, or high levels of stress, which can cause muscle contraction in the subject.

This condition, although it occurs at a physical level, can also cause mental compromises related to its symptoms.. The following are some of the physical and psychological consequences of this pathology.

Effects on the organism

The sequelae that can be caused by this condition are varied. In addition depend to a great extent on the affected area, the levels of intensity and frequency of the symptoms and also the personal characteristics of the subject.

In the first instance we have the physical affections, which range from weakness and pain, or even paralysis in the affected area of the body; then there are also the psychological sequelae of this circumstance. The latter appear as background diseases caused by the muscular affection (comorbidity), which may range from anxiety, psychosomatic diseases, hypochondria, etc...

Bearing in mind that we are bio-psycho-social beings, the diseases of the body are intrinsically related to diseases of the mind.. This is evident in the case of paratonia in the muscles.

When it occurs

The causes that can lead to paratonia are diverse., and among them are the following:

• Muscle overloads
• Muscle injuries
• Cramps or tendinitis
• Muscular dystrophy (genetic origin)
• Skeletal muscle inflammation (Myositis)
• Nerve damage affecting the muscles
• Some infections
• Side effects of medications

To this list can be added the previously mentioned emotional causes; stress and anxiety, as risk factors that trigger the symptoms of tension and contraction in the muscles of the human body.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of this type of pathology is usually made by means of a routine physical examinationwhere abnormal tension levels in specific muscles can be noted. If necessary, the specialist may indicate the patient to undergo some extra tests.

Tests that may be required by the physician include muscle biopsy, electromyography, aldolase Blood test, creatine phosphokinase test, and lactate dehydrogenase test.

Treatment

Treatments for muscular pathologies, including paratonia, are mainly based on physiotherapy sessions, which may be accompanied by psychotherapy sessions, together with relaxation techniques that are applied by the therapist in a controlled environment.

When the symptomatology of the case is too intense and persistent, in addition to not responding to other methods of treatment, then Botulinum toxin injections are used for muscle spasms and contractions.. Botulinum toxin is a protein that helps relax the tight muscle.

When the injection is applied directly into the affected muscle, the chemical signals that generate the contraction in the area disappear, because the botulinum toxin blocks these signals.

Preventive methods

These methods can be used when you are in the process of recovery or have just come out of a muscular injury or parathonia.

• Avoid exaggeratedly high temperatures.
• Avoid excessively low temperatures.
• Avoiding stressful factors in our daily life.
• Do not wear clothes that are too tight.
• Take care of our diet.
• Avoid excessive alcoholic beverages.
• Maintain a correct posture..
• Have good sleeping habits.

Exercise is included within the protective factors of muscular injuries, but it must be under a careful regime, avoiding excessive weight lifting, or strenuous routines without having adequately prepared for them.

It is advisable to be under the supervision of an instructor who will be able to give you specific who can give you specific guidance on what exercise routines to perform, according to your body type and your personal needs.

If for some reason you cannot go to the gym, you can exercise at home, as long as you take the precautions mentioned above, the results will be good and you will notice an improvement in your quality of life.

Bibliographical references:

• Hobbelen, J. S. M., Tan, Frans E. S.; Verhey, F. R. J.; Koopmans, R. T. C. M., Bie, R. A. de (2011). Prevalence, incidence and risk factors of paratonia in patients with dementia: a one-year follow-up study. International Psychogeriatrics. 23 (7): 1051-1060.
• Trompetto, C.; Marinelli, L.; Mori, L.; Pelosin, E.; Currà, A.; Molfetta, L.; Abbruzzese, G. (2014). Pathophysiology of Spasticity: Implications for Neurorehabilitation. BioMed Research International. 2014: 1-8.