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Home » Products tagged “Muscle Atrophy” » Page 2

Muscle Atrophy

A doctor tends to a bedridden patient. Being bedridden for a period of time can often lead to muscle atrophy.

Muscle atrophy is a condition in which your muscles waste away. This usually (but not always) occurs due to lack of physical activity.

It typically occurs in individuals for whom physical activity has become difficult or impossible as a result of disease or injury.

Typically, the loss of muscle tissue shows up in the form of a reduction in size of the unused muscles. It may be difficult or impossible to move an arm or leg for an extended period. If so, the loss of muscle mass can cause that limb to gradually shrink compared to the other one.

In this article, we will examine the most common symptoms of muscle atrophy and then briefly discuss the usual causes. We will end with a discussion of the treatments currently available to slow or reverse this problem.

As always, the contents of this article should not be regarded as professional advice. If you think you are suffering from muscle atrophy, we would advise consulting with a medical professional. He or she will be able to properly diagnose your condition and then suggest the appropriate remedies.

Symptoms Of Muscle Atrophy

As mentioned above, this condition usually causes a shrinkage of one or more of your limbs compared to the others.

Other potential indications of muscle atrophy include:

Muscle weakness that causes you to be unable to perform functions that previously presented no difficulty;
You have experienced a marked decrease over a significant period in your normal level of physical activity. This may have occurred due to the causes we discuss next.

Muscle Atrophy Causes

Enforced Inactivity

We have already stated above that this condition can be the result of an extended period of relative inactivity.

Reduced use of certain muscles can cause a marked decrease in their size and strength. For certain muscles, such as the weight bearing ones, this can take place even over a short period.

The inactivity that leads to muscle atrophy can itself be the result of:

Being bedridden over an extended period due to illness;
Spinal cord injuries that can force inactivity due to paralysis (for example);
Serious injuries such as a bone fracture or serious burns.

In some cases, the reduction in muscle use can be caused by certain diseases or medical conditions. These diseases or events may make it impossible or difficult to continue using certain muscles. Examples are:

A stroke, which can also force a cessation or reduction in the use of certain limbs/muscles;
Diseases that affect the central nervous system. These may include (as a few examples):
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease;
- Multiple Sclerosis, which causes progressive destruction of nerve coverings;
- Polio, a virus that attacks the muscles and eventually leads to paralysis;
- Rheumatoid arthritis, which causes chronic joint inflammation and eventually makes movement very painful
- Muscular dystrophy, which is an inherited medical condition that results in muscle weakness.

Other Possible Causes of Muscle Atrophy

Other potential causes of muscle atrophy, that may not be due to an enforced period of inactivity, may include:

Malnutrition, since the body depends on an adequate supply of nutrition (e.g. protein) to main muscle tissue;
Aging, which can lead to a reduced supply of hormones needed to maintain muscle tissues.

Diagnosing Muscle Atrophy

If you think you are seeing signs of muscle atrophy, the first step is to see your doctor.

Your doctor will probably start by reviewing your medical history. He or she will pay particular attention to previous injuries and any recent diagnoses of illness. You will likely also be asked to describe your symptoms in detail.

The doctor will probably want to request tests such as:

An electromyography (EMG);
A muscle or nerve biopsy;
X Rays & blood tests.

These tests will help your doctor to understand the causes of your muscle wastage. In particular, they may help to detect an underlying illness other than inactivity that is causing muscle tissue loss.

Muscle Atrophy Treatment

In deciding on the most appropriate treatment, your doctor will take account of the amount of muscle tissue lost. Priority will likely also be given to treating underlying medical conditions that may have led to the loss of muscle mass.

That said, as a first step, the recommended treatments might include:

An exercise program, likely as part of a course of physical therapy. The goal of physical therapy will be to help you exercise in the most efficient way to increase muscle mass;
Ultrasound therapy that uses therapeutical sound waves to treat the problem;
Changes to your diet such as an increase in your protein intake. This will be helpful if malnutrition is a contributing factor to your muscle tissue loss.

Another treatment technique that may be employed is electrical muscle stimulation (EMS). This involves the use of electrical signals to induce muscle movement. Over time, repeated EMS treatments may help slow or reverse the atrophy.

Another approach to treating muscle atrophy involves surgery. In cases involving muscle tissue loss due to malnutrition, contracture deformity may result. If so, surgery may be the most effective way to address the deformity.

Surgery may also be effective if your muscle tissue loss is due to a torn tendon that prevents normal muscle use. In this situation, the goal of surgery will be to repair the damaged tendon and allow normal muscle use to resume.

Suggested Muscle Atrophy Products

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Brand

360 Athletics(3)
Cando®(48)
Dunbar Medical(1)
TheraBand(3)
Val-U-Band(2)

Product Category

Clearance Sale(1)
Clinic Equipment & Supplies(65)
- Exercise Rehabilitation(65)
  - Resistance Band(20)
  - Resistance Tubing(12)
  - Strength Training(34)

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Fitness Loops
Resistance Band
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The 360 Athletics Fitness Loops are a great choice for those whose daily schedules require late night or early morning workouts while on vacation or on business trips.
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Handy Ball Weighted Balls
Strength Training
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Handy Ball weighted balls allow a wide variety of strength training routines without worrying about dropping the balls and getting injured.
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Iron Disc Weight Plates
Strength Training
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Iron Disc Weight Plates that are essential for a full body strength conditioning program.
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Iron Disc Weight Plates – Mobile Cart
Strength Training
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The Iron Disc Weight Plates – Mobile Cart is for easy storage of weight plates and comes with casters that allow for convenient and easy mobility.
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Iron Disc Weight Plates – Stationary Cart
Strength Training
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The Iron Disc Weight Plates – Stationary Cart is designed to hold any 1″ or 2″ weight plate and has an attractive black frame finish.
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Jelly Expander
Resistance Tubing
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The CanDo® Jelly Expander is great for upper body exercises. The gel-type stretch exerciser is available in 3 configurations with 3 color-coded resistances for each configuration.
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Low Powder Exercise Band
Resistance Band
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This economically priced low powder exercise band offers the same versatility and resistance, in terms of quality, as the more expensive brands. Available in xx-light resistance to xxx-heavy resistance levels.

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Low Powder Exercise Band
Resistance Band
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The CanDo Low Powder Exercise Band is lightweight, compact, portable and durable. Effective when used alone, or with handles and anchors. Color-coded according to the exercise band’s resistance.
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Low Powder Exercise Band – Twin-Pak
Resistance Band
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CanDo® resistive exercise band roll is packaged in a dispenser box. Simply unroll desired length of exercise band from dispenser box and cut with scissors. CanDo® high quality latex resistive exercise band has been used in clinics for rehabilitation, conditioning and training since 1987. It has become a well known staple of many physical therapy…
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Low Powder Exercise Tubing Rolls
Resistance Tubing
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High quality Low Powder Exercise Tubing Rolls that are easily portable to work, the cottage or on vacation.Progressive colour coding using distinctive and attractive colours.
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Molded Dual Handle Medicine Ball
Strength Training
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The Molded Dual Handle Medicine Ball has a carefully designed handle that can be safely gripped with either one or two hands and supports a full range of core and abdominal exercises.
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One Handle Medicine Ball
Strength Training
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One Handle Medicine Ball designed to support the most demanding core and abdominal training.
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Over Door Exercise Bar & Tubing
Resistance Tubing
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Cando’s Over Door Exercise Bar & Tubing allows you to perform interesting and varied workouts right in the comfort of your own home.
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Padded Exercise Bar
Strength Training
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The Padded Exercise Bar with Tubing is a foam covered exercise bar with attached tubing.
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Plyometric Ball Rack
Strength Training
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Plyometric Ball Rack – 6-Ball Capacity – Vertical is for storing up to 6 medicine balls (vertically stacked).
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PVC WaTE Ball Rack
Strength Training
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Single or double tier WaTE ball rack that holds up to 6 medicine balls.
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Resistance Bands
Resistance Band
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Theraband resistance bands are portable enough to easily fit in a suitcase. So you can take them with you (whether you travel by car or plane) on business or vacation trips. Now you will have no excuse for missing a workout!
- Available both with and without latex and in lengths of either 6 or 50 yards;
- You can cut the 50 yd lengths into shorter pieces for specific exercises you have in mind;
- Color coded resistance levels mean there is no risk of misidentifying the correct band for each exercise (reducing the risk of accidental injury)
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Resistance Tubing
Resistance Tubing
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Theraband Resistance Tubing is an excellent accessory for toning and strengthening both upper and lower body muscles and reversing muscle atrophy after an injury.
- Will also help increase range of motion and improve overall conditioning and flexibility;
- Simple to use and extremely portable. Easily fits into a suitcase or large briefcase;
- Versatile enough for use at home, at work, in the clinic or at the gym;
- Color coded tubing that makes it easy to identify the resistance level needed without the risk of choosing the wrong level;
- Color coding also helps you track your progress as your strength and overall fitness improve.
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Resistance Tubing with Handles
Resistance Tubing
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360 Athletics Resistance Tubing with Handles provide a convenient way to exercise and strengthen muscles in the upper and lower body and are equipped with large easy to grip handles that are simple to slip over your feet and ankles for more effective workouts.
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Slim WaTE Bar
Strength Training
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The Slim® WaTE™ Bar has progressive and colour coded weight levels ranging from 1 to 10 pounds as well as hangar and anti-roll end caps. Suitable for a wide range of types of exercise including aerobics and Pilates.
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SoftGrip Hand Weights
Strength Training
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SoftGrip® hand weights are easier to grasp as well as being more comfortable and less intimidating than regular dumbbells.
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SoftGrip Hand Weights Set – 10 Pieces
Strength Training
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The SoftGrip® hand weights set – 10 pieces is comfortable enough for use by arthritic patients and can be stored on hooks to save space.
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SoftGrip Hand Weights Set – 16 Piece Set
Strength Training
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SoftGrip Hand weights set – 16 Pieces – comfortable enough for the occasional light workout and are equipped with grommet holes for hook storage.
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Tubing BowTie Exerciser
Resistance Tubing
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Lightweight, compact and portable, the tubing exerciser helps perform strengthening and conditioning workouts on-the-go, even in your hotel room! Two permanent foam covered rigid handles give the exerciser comfort and a firm grasp. CanDo® is licensed to use the Thera-Band® color sequence so resistance level is easily identified. The BowTie exerciser is available in 7…
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