4 Qualities of a Healthy Muscle

Clients often ask me what it is I am feeling, or feeling for, when I give a massage. What is it that determines where I work and how? Of the many indications of imbalance that I can feel for in the body, here are four general signs that your muscle tissue is healthy.

1) Takes pressure without pain

Apply straight pressure to a healthy muscle and nothing much happens. Apply pressure to an imbalance muscle and you’ll feel sensation ranging from tingling, numbness to sharp pain. This discomfort might be felt right away or after sustaining that pressure for a few seconds. Looking for proof? Poke around on your quads or forearms; there will be spots that feel fine, but it probably won’t be long till you find a spot that makes you go, “Ouch!”

2) Has a supple feel

Healthy muscle is hydrated allowing fluid to move easily between and through its cells. Essentially this feels a bit like a more pliable version of a stress ball. Muscle that is ropy, stringy, or hard is often dehydrated whereas. Congested, fluid retaining tissue takes on a grainy, spongy, or bubble-wrap like feel. Both of these extremes can lead to muscle cramps, spasms, and pain.

3) Is adaptable

There is a huge emphasis on strengthening when it comes to muscle health, the thought process being that stronger is always better. This makes sense as muscles that hold no tone are nonfunctional. Think of having a contortionist’s flexibility but not enough strength to lift a chair (or get out of those twisty positions). However, muscles that are too toned are also dysfunctional as can be seen in the case of a bodybuilder who is not flexible enough to turn down their own shirt collar. Optimal muscles are adaptable, holding the necessary tone to support the body and perform every-day physical tasks without strain, but are flexible enough to switch positions and bend to prevent injury. It all comes back to balance.

4) Is warm

An area where the body is too hot or too cold are places where imbalances exist. Places where the skin is too hot is an indication of inflammation which can be a sign of soft tissue injury if the skin is intact. Where cold is present there is likely ischemia or lack of blood flow which prevents nutrients from moving in and metabolic waste from washing out. Warmth indicates that blood is moving optimally making for healthy, happy muscles.

#musclehealth #musclepain #massage #benefitsofmassage #deeptissue