At its most basic level guarding occurs when your therapist pushes your knee one way and you push right back, negating his attempt to help you gain knee flexibility as your body attempts to protect itself. Today's physical therapist will always be confronted with the mysteries of muscle guarding.

What is muscle guarding and when does it occur?

Muscle guarding is the state when muscles are held in a partial state of readiness to act. A runner at the starting line that is waiting for the signal is muscle guarding, the body is holding the muscles partially contracted so they are prepared for the upcoming demands. Similar to the flight or fight syndrome.

What is protective muscle guarding?

In short, muscle guarding is your body's protective mechanism to splint the injured area. RESTRICTED MOBILITY: In the short term, muscle guarding to protect the injured area from moving can be good. However, if it goes on too long, it becomes detrimental.