Did You Know Your Muscles Can’t Move on Their Own?

    Many people work hard to strengthen their muscles, but often, the results are not as expected. The reason is simple: muscles cannot generate force on their own. So, how do muscles actually work? The answer lies in the signals sent by our nerves.

All the muscles in our body adjust their strength based on nerve commands. Most muscles are controlled by an "automatic safety nerve system," which operates without our conscious awareness. In particular, the muscles in our hands and feet rely on sensory nerves in the fingers and toes, as well as signals from the proprioceptors in our joints, to determine the intensity of their movement. Let's explore how the muscles in our hands and feet work through some examples.

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How Hand Muscles Work: The Secret Behind Small Movements

    Our fingers contain various sensory nerve cells that detect the temperature and weight of objects and adjust the strength of our arm muscles accordingly. For instance, the amount of force used to pick up a piece of paper is different from the force needed to lift a heavy object. When grabbing a slippery bottle, the movements of our hands and arms slow down, and the same happens when lifting a cup full of water. All of this is thanks to the signals sent by the sensory nerves in our fingers. If these nerves do not function properly, it can cause strain on the wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints, leading to conditions like arthritis or muscle pain.

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How Foot Muscles Work: The Amazing Things Happening Beneath Your Feet

    The functioning of the foot muscles involves the complex interaction of the 26 bones in the foot, the sensory nerves in the soles, and the proprioceptors within the joints. For example, when walking on icy ground in winter, the sensory nerves in your feet detect the slippery surface, prompting you to slow down and change your posture without even thinking about it. However, wearing tight or hard shoes can weaken your ability to flex your toes, reducing your sensitivity to the ground and causing imbalance. This can lead to improper muscle function, resulting in pain and chronic problems.

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Proper Exercise and Muscle Strengthening: The Key is ‘Nerve Recovery’

    Many people believe that intense exercise is necessary when they feel weak. However, if the fast-acting, involuntary nerves that control muscle movement are damaged, exercising may not strengthen the muscles and can actually cause further injury. On the other hand, slow and precise exercises fall within the range of conscious nerve control and can help strengthen the muscles to some extent. The most important factor is that, without the recovery or activation of the damaged nerves, the desired results cannot be achieved.

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Professional Diagnosis and Treatment: How Can I Help?

    Currently, no machine can accurately determine which nerves are not functioning properly. That’s why we rely on the expertise of skilled professionals who use their hands to detect differences in skin temperature, humidity, and muscle condition, and visually examine wounds, swelling, and blood vessel distribution to identify the root cause of the problem. This approach helps reactivate damaged nerves and supports the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Your body has the potential to heal itself. With the right approach and guidance, we can help you unlock that potential and regain a healthy, pain-free life. Let’s work together on this journey to better health!