Abstract
Abnormal muscle tension is associated both causally and consequentially with all disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Normal muscle tone consists both of ‘passive elasticity or turgor of muscular (and fibrous) tissues and the active (though not continuous) contraction of muscle in response to the reaction of the nervous system to stimuli’ (Basmajian). Abnormal muscle tension may, therefore, result from injury, disease or dysfunction of muscle, or from a multitude of factors impinging on the nervous system, or from both.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Zohn, D.A. (1988). Musculoskeletal Pain, 2nd edn. ( Boston: Little, Brown )
Bradley, W.G. (1974). Disorders of Peripheral Nerves. ( Oxford: Blackwell Scientific )
Lomo, T. (1976). The role of activity in the control of membrane and contractile properties of skeletal muscle. In Thesleff, S. (ed.) Motor Innervation of Muscle, Chap. 10. ( London: Academic Press )
Gunn, C.C. (1978). Transcutaneous neural stimulation, acupuncture and the current of injury. Am. J. Acupuncture, 6 (3), 191–196
Jones, L.H. (1981). Strain and Counterstrain. (American Academy of Osteopathy)
Korr, I.M. (1978). Sustained sympathicotonia as a factor in disease. In The Neurobiologic Mechanisms in Manipulative Therapy. (New York: Plenum)
Travell, J.G. and Simons, D.G. (1983). Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction. ( Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins )
Lewit, K. (1978). The contribution of clinical observation. In The Neurobiological Mechanisms in Manipulative Therapy. (New York: Plenum)
Physical Medicine Research Foundation. (Odstock Hospital, Salisbury, UK)
Tracey, J.B. (1979). Impact Therapy. ( Exeter, UK: John B. Tracey )
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1990 Kluwer Academic Publishers
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Laxton, A.H. (1990). Practical approaches to the normalization of muscle tension. In: Paterson, J.K., Burn, L. (eds) Back Pain. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2165-8_24
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2165-8_24
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7472-8
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-2165-8
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive