To be more accurate maybe this week I should have called this symptoms of the week because I am focusing on two symptoms that interlink with each other – muscle weakness and muscle stiffness.

Muscle weakness can develop in all muscle related areas of the body. It can vary from being physically weak and having no body strength to pick things up to having no physical energy to keep going.

Muscle stiffness is quite simply having stiff muscles. This can be triggered by multiple things such as little or too much exercise, lying down for long periods, inactivity and the weather.

My own experience

When I am fatigued mentally that will generally translate to physical fatigue and weakness and therefore a lack of physical energy. Day to day I have no body strength whatsoever and I struggle immensely with picking things up as I have no upper body strength for someone of my age. I therefore need assistance with cooking and cannot help out with housework because I find everything too heavy for my arms.

In terms of stiffness I would describe it as one of my top bug bares as it tends to be one of the things that triggers my pain. I often feel like someone of 90 rather than in my 30s especially in the morning when trying to get out of bed and don’t get me started on the dreaded winter months. Although saying that this year the warm weather has also impacted my stiffness and I often refer to myself as needing to be cracked into place like a contortionist because my body will not play ball.

Tips for muscle weakness/stiffness: Remember never try any new tip without checking with your doctor first.

• Exercise – Exercise seems to be the best form of treatment for muscle weakness as it slowly builds up your muscle strength. Gentle exercises such as yoga and pilates are probably the most effective as long as you move slowly and do not push yourself. The key is to build up slowly if possible.

• Stretching – Stretching is definitely an effective method to relieving stiffness. Having a good stretch when you first get out of bed and/or when you have been sat for a while is a great way of loosening up. General stretching works alongside yoga techniques including chair yoga for people unable to get on the ground.

• Pain Management Techniques – You may find some tips that are used for pain management are helpful with muscle issues. For ideas check out my symptom of the week post on pain here.

Next week’s symptom: Fatigue