Also called disseminated sclerosis or encephalomyelitis, multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system that causes numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, unsteady gait, and vision problems. It is caused by the progressive breakdown of the sheath that surrounds nerve fibers in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves.
Pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot—or the metatarsal region—is referred to generally as metatarsalgia. Colloquially known as stone bruise, this common problem affected both metatarsal joints and bones. The condition can occur in those who frequently run or jump.
Exactly as it sounds, motor vehicles injuries are traumas people suffer as the result of a motorized vehicle collision. Typically, the motor vehicle is in motion when the collision occurs, and the vehicle can collide with anything for individuals involved in the collision to get injured.
Also known as muscle wasting, disuse atrophy refers to muscle shrinking and weakness resulting from inactivity. This type of atrophy can be caused by long periods of immobility or when a person stops engaging in certain activities, such as walking.
Muscle spasms are involuntary muscle contractions that lead to muscle tightness or muscle cramps. Spasms typically occur as a result of muscle overuse or injury and often affect the neck, back, shoulder, or legs, causing pain, discomfort, and tenderness to the touch.
Muscle tension headaches result from muscle contractions in the head and neck, which causes pain in the head and neck as well as behind the eyes. The pain often is described as feeling like a tight band is squeezing the forehead.
Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic pain disorder in which the body’s soft tissues and corresponding muscles in certain parts of the body become inflamed and painful. It differs from muscle tension pain in that the pain persists or worsens over time.
A form of manual therapy, myofascial release is frequently used in massage and involves gentle, sustained, applied pressure to the fascia, a type of connective tissues that covers most human body structures, including muscles.
Myositis is a general term for muscle inflammation and it’s caused by any condition—such as autoimmune diseases, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis—that leads to muscle inflammation. Treatment of myositis depends on the condition causing it; however, the Myositis Association recommends physical therapy.
Neuritis is specific inflammation of a nerve or general inflammation of the peripheral nervous system, which consists of the ganglia and nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. Nerves span the entire body, so typically neuritis is associated with an area of the body. For example, brachial neuritis is inflammation of the arm nerves.