Muscle pain is exceptionally common. Nearly everyone has experienced some form of ache or discomfort in their muscles. This pain can be felt essentially anywhere since there is muscle tissue in almost all areas of the body. There is not a single, direct cause for the pain, there are; however, various factors that can play into the root of muscle pain. With these various factors come various methods for overcoming muscle pain.
Causes
Usually, those who experience this kind of pain can determine the cause. The reason for this is that most instances of myalgia occur due to a considerably large amount of stress, tension, or physical activity. Listed below are some of the most common causes of muscle pain.
Common Causes
- Overuse of the muscle during physical activity
- Muscle tension in one or more areas of the body
- Injury to the muscle during engaging in physically demanding exercise or work
- Failing to include warmups and cooldowns in routine workouts
While overuse, tension, and injury each increase the chance for discomfort, there are some causes of muscle pain that can be explained by medical conditions.
Medical Explanations
- Fibromyalgia
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Autoimmune disorders such as dermatomyositis, lupus, and polymyositis
- Infections such as polio, the flu, or bacterial infections
- Thyroid problems such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
- Use of particular medications or drugs, such as ACE inhibitors, statins, or cocaine
- Hypokalemia (low potassium)
Tips for Overcoming
Pain may respond well to home treatment. There are numerous methods that can be used to treat it from overuse or injury.
Home Treatments
- Resting the area of the body in which you are experiencing aches and pains
- Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as Advil
- Icing the affected area to aid in relieving pain and reducing inflammation
Other Measures that May Help You
- Carefully stretching your muscles
- Avoiding high-impact activities until the muscle pain is resolved
- Avoiding weightlifting sessions until after the muscle pain goes away
- Allowing yourself time to rest
- Participating in stress-relieving activities and exercises such as meditation and yoga to help relieve tension
When to Seek Out Medical Help
Pain caused by minor injuries, stress, or exercise is typically resolved with home treatment. However, when caused by severe injuries or systemic disease is usually serious and calls for medical care. Some cases require immediate medical care while others only require an office visit.
Seek Immediate Medical Care if You Have Pain With…
- Difficulty breathing or dizziness
- Severe muscle weakness
- A high fever and stiff neck
Schedule an Office Visit if You Have…
- Signs of infection, for example, redness or swelling around a sore muscle
- A rash
- A tick bite or may have had a tick bite
- Muscle pain that does not improve with self-care
Ways to Prevent
Most people are knowledgeable of some of the causes and treatments concerning the pain. While it is important to understand both, it is just as important to know how to prevent muscle pain. Should your muscle pain be caused by tension or physical activity, there are measures that you can take to help prevent muscle pain in the future.
- Stretch your muscles prior to engaging in physical activity and after workouts
- Incorporate a warmup and a cooldown into your exercise sessions
- Remain hydrated, especially on the days you are most active
- If you work at a desk, take regular stretch breaks
Overcoming
Muscle pain is common and has various causes. It also has a variety of ways in which it can be treated. More often than not, muscle pain can be resolved with simple home treatment. There are, however, some cases in which medical care is required to successfully overcome the pain. Should your pain grow worse or become paired with other alarming symptoms, do not hesitate to seek immediate medical assistance. Having knowledge of the causes, treatments, and prevention methods are helpful in overcoming it.
Trident Pain Center is here to answer any and all questions. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
