Zhang is a software engineer with a passion for programming, and his job often requires him to sit in front of a computer for long periods of time. This sedentary lifestyle caused him to begin to experience discomfort in his arms, shoulders, and neck, manifesting as pain, stiffness, and soreness. At first, he thought it was just a common joint problem and didn't pay enough attention to it. Over time, these painful symptoms gradually intensified, seriously affecting his productivity and daily life. This constant discomfort left Xiao Zhang feeling anxious and uneasy, and he realized that he needed to seek medical help as soon as possible.
At the hospital, Zhang underwent a thorough physical examination, which revealed that he actually had fasciitis instead of arthritis as he had previously believed. The doctor explained to him in detail the specific symptoms and treatment of fasciitis, as well as the effective measures to prevent and alleviate these symptoms. This experience made Xiao Zhang realize the potential harm of sitting for a long time to his health, and the importance of seeking medical treatment in a timely manner.
What exactly is fasciitis and what damage does it do to our body?
In everyday life, many people may experience persistent or intermittent muscle aches for no apparent reason, which can be a sign of fasciitis. Fasciitis is often overlooked in the early stages, as the pain may not be noticeable or quickly relieved at first, but as the disease progresses, the pain gradually worsens and eventually severely affects daily life.
Fasciitis is inflammation that occurs on the fascia in the body. Fascia is a connective tissue throughout the body that wraps around muscles, blood vessels, and nerves, and is mainly made up of collagen fibers. These fibers are tightly arranged and have good tensile resistance, which protects tissues that are prone to damage. Our fascia is divided into superficial, middle, and deep layers. In general, these fascia are not easily damaged, but external factors such as long-term exertion and incorrect sitting posture can cause fascial inflammation.
Clinically, common fasciitis includes plantar fasciitis, dorsal myofasciitis, and abdominal wall fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is common in people who exercise regularly for long periods of time and in older people, who often experience repeated friction and stretching of the plantar fascia. Dorsal myofasciitis, often referred to as "stiff neck," is usually caused by working or studying Xi with your head down for long periods of time. Fasciitis of the abdominal wall is usually caused by excessive exercise, and people experience stiffness and pain in the abdominal wall.
In addition to the above fasciitis symptoms, there is a more serious form of fasciitis called necrotizing fasciitis. It is a serious skin and soft tissue infection that is often accompanied by shock and multi-organ failure that can lead to death. Necrotizing fasciitis is usually caused by a severe infection that progresses rapidly and wreaks havoc on peripheral blood vessels and nerves.
To improve fasciitis, these tricks can be used
When you suspect you have fasciitis or are experiencing an acute attack of fasciitis, it is important to seek a professional orthopedic surgeon for diagnosis in a timely manner. Once fasciitis is diagnosed, following these steps can effectively cope with and treat the condition:
Reduction of irritation to the affected area: this is the basis of treatment. Persistent bad Xi or excessive use of the affected area can lead to a significant reduction in the effectiveness of treatment. For example, if you have shoulder and neck fasciitis, prolonged shoulder and neck stretching or overuse should be avoided.
Treat patiently and follow the doctor's instructions: Treating fasciitis requires patience and not rushing. Common treatments include medications, shockwave therapy, and occlusive therapy. Medications and shockwave therapy are the basic approach, while occlusive therapy uses injections of long-acting hormones and local anesthetic drugs to rapidly relieve inflammation and pain. But it is not advisable to seek occlusion with too much urgency. It is usually recommended to start with 4-6 weeks of basic therapy, and if the condition is not in remission or worsening, then consider occlusive therapy, and avoid repeating such treatments for a short period of time to avoid irritation of local tissues.
Gua sha and massage: During the non-inflammatory phase of fasciitis, self-done gua sha and massage can help relieve fascial nodules. This method can quickly relieve inflammation and pain, but it may not be as effective if you don't pay attention to the method and strength.
Replenish liver and blood: Traditional Chinese medicine theory believes that the liver is responsible for the fascia of the whole body, and the vitality of the tendons depends on the essence and qi of the liver. Therefore, proper liver nourishment and blood replenishment are beneficial for the prevention and treatment of fasciitis. Liver blood can be replenished through dietary therapy.
Treatment of fasciitis requires an integrated approach that includes reduced irritation, patient treatment, proper self-care, and physical conditioning through diet. At the same time, it is crucial to always follow the advice and guidance of your doctor.