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Left is normal muscle tissue
Right is scar tissue in muscle from muscular dystrophy. |
Muscle Scar Tissue
A perfectly healthy muscle can
be stretched beyond its normal range, resulting in a tear. This is a
common injury amongst track athletes. Intramuscular scarring forms as a
result of a tear, and if untreated, limits broadening of the muscle. In
daily living activities this would go unnoticed, but for the athlete
this can often be the start point for chronic muscle pain and associated
dysfunction. Although rest may alleviate the pain, the scar tissue
remains, and the pain recurs when the athlete starts training again.
Massage breaks down the adhesions between the scar tissue and adjacent
muscles or tendons, and re-aligns the muscle fibres longitudinally.
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