Muscle contractures are one of the most common complaints treated in the clinic, affecting people of all ages and lifestyles. From high performance athletes to those spending long hours in front of a computer screen, the muscle tension they suffer, though different, causes the same persistent pain and stiffness and it can noticeably limit movement.
An estimated 60% or more of the population suffers muscle contractures at least once in their life, with cervical contractures being especially common due to bad posture and emotional tension.
The good news is that thanks to Capenergy’s TECAR Evolution, these ailments can now be treated in a fast, effective and non-invasive way. This second generation radiofrequency combines automatic and manual modes with capacitive and resistive electrodes, offering an advanced solution for muscle recovery.
In this article we’ll explore the exact nature of muscle contractures, their most frequent causes, which parts of the body are most commonly affected and how to clinically treat this ailment with Capenergy’s advanced radiofrequency with visible results from the first session.
What is a muscle contracture?
A muscle contracture is an involuntary and persistent contracture of a group of muscle fibers, which are unable to relax in a natural way. This alteration generates a stiffness that ‘s palpable to the touch and which is accompanied by localized pain, functional limitations, inflammation and loss of muscle elasticity.
Unlike spasms, which tend to be short-lived, contractures can persist during a longer period of time, interfering with the normal movement of the articulation or affected body segment. It is the body’s response to mechanical or emotional stimuli that alter the balance of the musculoskeletal system.
Areas most commonly affected by muscle contractures
Though contractures may appear anywhere, the areas with the highest clinical prevalence include:
- Neck and trapezius muscles: Typical in people under stress or subjected to excess screen use.
- Lumbar area: Due to badly executed physical efforts or prolonged poor posture.
- Shoulders and arms: Associated with sudden movements or overload.
- Legs and calves: Frequent in athletes who’ve not adequately recovered.
Most common causes of muscle contractures
Muscle contractures can have different causes, the most common ones being:
- Muscle overload: Intense physical exercise or repetitive movements without adequate recovery.
- Long-term bad posture: Especially in a work environment or during sleep.
- Stress and emotional strain: Stress and emotional strain can cause reflex contractures in the neck, trapezius muscles and back.
- Lack of hydration and electrolyte deficit: This alters the neuromuscular function.
Lack of warm-up or stretching: Before and after physical activity.
In a clinical context, an untreated contracture can trigger myofascial pain syndromes, articular limitations, compensatory dysfunctions or even injuries due to the over-use of other structures.
This is why a correct identification and timely treatment of muscle contractures is fundamental to prevent chronification, improving the patient ‘s biomechanical function and restoring life quality.
Traditional treatment of muscle contractures
The conventional approach towards muscle contractures has historically centered on conservative techniques seeking to relieve the symptoms and to gradually restore muscle functionality. These treatments include a combination of passive and active methods which, though effective in certain cases, tend to be insufficient or slow when treating persistent or severe contractures.
Main therapeutic strategies
- Rest and manual physiotherapy: Mainly indicated in acute phases to avoid overload. Manual therapy, including myofascial release techniques and deep tissue massage, improves local vascularization and helps reduce muscle spasms.
- Application of cold or heat: The localized use of cold or hot compresses seeks to reduce inflammation and to promote muscle relaxation, though its effect tends to be temporary.
- Therapeutic massages: They stimulate the drainage of accumulated metabolites and they stimulate the blood flow. They are a useful complement, but not always do they manage to solve the contracture entirely.
- Painkillers and muscle relaxants: Medications are used to alleviate pain and allow some degree of muscle relaxation. However, they do not address the biomechanical or functional cause of the contracture and may have side effects.
- Stretching and mobility exercises: These are essential in both prevention and recovery phases, but they require consistency and professional supervision to avoid relapses.
Limitations of the conventional approach
While these methods have their place within the methodic plan, most of them present significant limitations:
- They require a large amount of sessions to obtain sustained results.
- They do not always reach the deep muscle layers where the contractures originate.
- They do not address the alteration of baseline muscle tone or the neuromuscular dysfunction that sustains the spasm.
- Its efficacy depends largely on the phase of the contracture and the general state of the tissues.
This is why physiotherapists are gradually incorporating complementary technologies such as Capenergy’s TECAR evolution radiofrequency, to speed up recovery, reduce the contracture at its root and improve clinical results with fewer sessions and greater therapeutic precision.
Advanced treatment of muscle contractures with Capenergy radiofrequency
When conventional treatment is not sufficient or faster and longer-lasting results are required, Capenergy’s radiofrequency becomes an invaluable tool. This technology, based on second generation diathermy, has caused a revolution in the treatment of muscle contractures, as it enables a precise, deep and safe intervention, without the need of invasive methods.
Capenergy’s TECAR Evolution devices are designed to work at a high power level (up to 1.240W), combining automatic and manual applications with capacitive and resistive electrodes. This allows adapting the treatment to each patient’s specific needs as well as to the affected tissues, whether it is a superficial contracture or a deep, localized muscle tension.
Thanks to its versatility, this technology acts directly on the affected muscle tissue, boosting the reabsorption of metabolites, neuromuscular relaxation, tissue regeneration and improved trophism.
Benefits of Capenergy radiofrequency
- Non-invasive: No needles, no pain, no side effects. Ideal even for sensitive patients or patients with low tolerance towards other therapies.
- Faster recovery: From the first session, a clear reduction of pain and improvement of the movement range is observed.
- Fewer sessions: Its high effectiveness allows for achieving results in less time than with conventional physiotherapy.
- No downtime: The patient can take up its usual activities immediately after the treatment.
- Activation of cell metabolism: It stimulates the regeneration of the damaged tissue, improving the area’s vascularization and oxygenation.
- Deep muscle relaxation: It reduces pathological baseline muscle tone and improves neuromuscular balance.
- Relapse prevention: By addressing the functional origin of the contracture, it reduces the likelihood of recurrence.
- Improved sports performance: Ideal for athletes seeking a faster recovery without missing any training session.
Thanks to these advantages, Capenergy radiofrequency has become a benchmark technology in advanced physiotherapy clinics, functional rehabilitation, and sports medicine. Its ability to target muscle tissue with high therapeutic precision allows practitioners to optimize their treatments, stand out from the competition, and build patient loyalty through visible and lasting results.
Do you want to incorporate this technology in your clinic?
In an ever more demanding environment, being able to offer advanced and efficient therapeutic solutions is key in order to stand out and offer a differential service. With Capenergy’s TECAR Evolution, health professionals can now access a second generation radiofrequency technology capable of transforming the treatment of muscle contractures.
If you have patients suffering from muscle pain, stiffness, overload or functional limitations, this tool will allow you to address these conditions with greater depth, precision and therapeutic efficiency. Capenergy’s radiofrequency acts directly on the affected tissue, boosting a faster and sustainable recovery without side effects.
Its design furthermore allows for both manual and automatic treatments, freeing up the practitioner’s time without compromising effectiveness, resulting in a true optimization of clinical resources.
In patients with chronic neuromuscular dysfunction, a comprehensive approach is recommended—one that addresses not only contractures but also other associated injuries. For example, combining treatment with specific protocols for muscle tears or ligament injuries, helps optimize results and accelerates the patient’s return to functional activity.
Benefits for your clinical practice
- Better results in fewer sessions.
- Increased patient satisfaction and loyalty.
- Stand out from other clinics.
- Possibility of integrating combined treatments with manual physiotherapy, therapeutic exercise, or functional rehabilitation.
- Safe and certified technology, backed up by clinical studies.
Boost your clinic with the most advanced technology for physiotherapy. With Capenergy, you can offer your patients a treatment that provides pain relief, speeds up recovery and prevents relapses in a safe and efficient way. If you want to take your musculoskeletal therapies to the next level, improve your clinical results and set your clinic apart,, contact us and request a free demo.
Frequently asked questions on the treatment of muscle contractures with Capenergy
Do you have any further doubts? Below you will find the most frequently asked questions to show you the way towards a more efficient physiotherapy.
1. Is a radiofrequency treatment painful?
No. The sensation is one of pleasant warmth. Many patients experience relaxation from the very first session.
2. How long does a Capenergy treatment session take?
Between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the area and chosen treatment protocol.
3. How many sessions are needed to notice improvement?
In most cases, the effects are noticeable from the first session.
4. Can it be combined with other therapies?
Yes. Capenergy’s radiofrequency is totally compatible with manual physiotherapy, therapeutic exercise or dry needling.
5. Is it useful for chronic contractures?
Yes, especially in patients with recurring contractures, accumulated tension or chronic muscle pain.
