Final answer:
The best treatment for a chronically contracted muscle is friction to the belly of the muscle, which helps realign muscle fibers and promote healing. Padding is used to support and reduce swelling in strained muscles, and the repeated use of a jackhammer could lead to Carpal tunnel syndrome.
Step-by-step explanation:
When treating a client with a chronically contracted muscle, the best approach is friction to the belly of the muscle. This technique helps to break down scar tissue, increase blood flow, and promote healing by realigning the muscle fibers that feed into the tendon at various angles. Specifically, muscle fibers feed in on an angle to a long tendon from different sides or directions, and friction to the muscle belly can help alleviate tension and correct imbalances. It's crucial to note that while kneading may also be beneficial, it typically targets more superficial tissue rather than the deeper issues that may be causing chronic contraction. Padding a strained muscle is part of the typical treatment to provide support and reduce swelling. On a related note, the repeated use of a jackhammer could most likely lead to Carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a condition that arises from repeated motion and overuse.