Muscle Pain Overview
Muscular pain, also known as muscle pain or myalgia, is pain that occurs in the muscles of the body. It can range from a mild, dull ache to a severe, sharp pain. Muscular pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including muscle strain, muscle spasm, muscle fatigue, and muscle injury. It can also be a symptom of certain medical conditions, such as fibromyalgia or polymyalgia rheumatica.
Muscular pain can be treated with a variety of methods
- Rest
- Physical therapy
- Pain medication
- Hot or cold therapy
Common Causes of Muscular Pain:
A muscle strain occurs when the muscles are stretched or torn due to overuse, improper use, or an acute injury.
- There are many potential causes of muscular pain, including:
- Muscle spasm: This is an involuntary contraction of the muscles that can cause pain and discomfort.
- Muscle fatigue: This occurs when the muscles become tired or overworked, leading to pain and weakness.
- Muscle injury: This can occur due to trauma, such as a sports injury or a fall, and can cause pain and swelling.
- Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as fibromyalgia and polymyalgia rheumatica, can cause muscle pain.
- Medications: Some medications, such as statins and NSAIDs, can cause muscle pain as a side effect.
- Infections: Viral or bacterial infections can sometimes cause muscle pain.
- Stress and anxiety: Emotional stress and anxiety can lead to muscle tension, which can cause pain.
- Poor posture: Maintaining poor posture for long periods of time can lead to muscle strain and pain.
- Aging: As we age, the muscles naturally become weaker, which can lead to pain and stiffness.
Muscular Pain Symptoms:
Symptoms of muscular pain may include:
- Aches or pains in the muscles
- Muscle stiffness or tightness
- Difficulty moving or using the affected muscles
- Swelling or tenderness in the affected muscles
- Redness or warmth in the affected area
In some cases, muscular pain may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Weakness
- Difficulty sleeping
If you are experiencing severe or persistent muscle pain, or if other symptoms accompany the pain, you should see a healthcare provider for evaluation.
Common Muscular Pain Conditions:
Several common medical conditions can cause muscle pain, including:
- Fibromyalgia: This is a chronic pain disorder that causes widespread muscle pain, fatigue, and tender points throughout the body.
- Polymyalgia rheumatica: This is a condition that causes muscle pain and stiffness, especially in the neck, shoulders, and hips.
- Myofascial pain syndrome: This is a chronic pain disorder that affects the fascia (connective tissue) surrounding the muscles. It can cause tender points and muscle spasms.
- Myositis: This is a group of inflammatory disorders that cause muscle weakness and pain.
- Statin-induced myopathy: Some statin medications, which are used to lower cholesterol, can cause muscle pain and weakness as a side effect.
- NSAID-induced myopathy: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can cause muscle pain and weakness as a side effect.
In most cases, muscular pain will resolve on its own with time and proper self-care. However, if the pain is severe or persistent, or if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as weakness, fever, or swelling, contact us to schedule and appointment for evaluation.
Muscular Pain FAQ
What causes muscle pain?
How is muscle pain diagnosed?
How is muscle pain treated?
Can muscle pain be prevented?
When should I see a doctor for muscle pain?
Is it safe to exercise with muscle pain?
Meet Our Team Of Doctors
Dr. James Yu
Board Certified Anesthesiologist
Board Certified Interventional
Pain Management Physician
Dylan J. O'Rourke
Certified Physician Assistant
Pain Condition We Treat
Improve your quality of life with our comprehensive approach to pain management
We are dedicated to finding individualized treatment options tailored to fit your needs. Our team is dedicated to helping you lead a productive and active life, free from pain and disruption.
We use an integrative approach to conduct a comprehensive evaluation and assess your condition.
Physical examination and review of your medical history. We assess the cause of your pain, determine its severity and duration, and help you develop an individualized treatment plan.
We provide a range of treatments and procedures to address your chronic pain. These include nerve blocks, injections, physical therapy, implantable therapies and more. We also offer health education to help you better manage your condition.