It’s tough to avoid muscle pain. The fact is that the human body has more than 600 muscles. Muscle pain is called myalgia. You feel muscle pain after overuse of the muscles. This pain is not permanent.
It also leads to several complex issues, especially when it’s not related to your physical exertion. Overuse, tension, stress, and minor injuries are the common causes of muscle pain. This pain affects small parts of your body or few muscles. You can say that such pains are localized.
The muscle pain that runs throughout the body is called systemic muscle pain. It is the result of any illness, medication side effect, or infection. Musculoskeletal pain often affects ligaments, tendons, joints, bones, and muscles.
Any chronic condition such as arthritis can also include pain. Visit a healthcare provider if musculoskeletal pain is affecting your daily life activities. Right treatment helps you to relieve the pain. Do not think that muscle pain has less intensity. It can be more acute.
It means that it’s severe and sudden sometimes. Pain can also last for a longer time. You may feel pain in one area of your body, or it can affect your whole body. Following are the types of muscle pain.
There are two categories of muscle pain. One is related to the activity of your muscles, while the other is not.
Pain Related To Your Muscle Activity
The pain appears during the physical exercise when it’s related to your muscle activity. The pain usually appears within 24 to 48 hours. It is generally related to muscle cramps, soreness, strains, and stiffness.
Pain Unrelated To Your Muscle Activity
Muscle pain sometimes occurs separately from physical activities. Any virus or some other condition can cause this pain. It means you have to visit the doctor.
Causes Of Musculoskeletal Pain
Following are the common causes that can induce musculoskeletal pain in you.
- Poor Posture
- Joint Dislocation (when you force your joint to move out of the proper position)
- Bone Fractures
- Overuse Injuries
- Sprains
- Direct blows to joints, bones, and muscles
Musculoskeletal Pain Symptoms
Symptoms of musculoskeletal pain can vary. These symptoms are associated with the cause of musculoskeletal pain. Some common symptoms are given below.
- Fatigue
- Stiffness And Aching
- Muscle Twitches
- Burning sensations in the areas of muscles
- Sleep Disturbances
- Pain that becomes worst from movement
Diagnosis Of Musculoskeletal Pain
The Healthcare providers take a comprehensive medical history from you. They ask you specific questions to determine the intensity of your pain. Healthcare providers also analyze the factors that can worsen or relieve your pain.
They determine if you have other symptoms like fever or rash. Your healthcare provider takes a detailed exam to determine the source of pain. They move and may touch the affected area during the exam.
Tests You Might Have For The Pain Of Muscles
Healthcare providers may take some other tests to find out the exact cause of the pain. Tests include:
- Blood Test
- X-rays
- Magnetic Reasoning Imaging (MRI)
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scans
Treatment Of Musculoskeletal Pain
Treatment plans depend mainly on the causes of musculoskeletal pain. Following are the common treatments for muscle pain.
- Pain Relievers
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic Adjustment
- Occupational Therapy
- Splints
- Occupational Therapy
- Therapeutic Massage
- Steroid Injections
Treatment Of Musculoskeletal Pain At Home
Healthcare providers may provide you specific guidelines to manage muscle pain at home. Some recommendations are given below.
- Hot and cold therapy
- Strengthening and conditioning exercises
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
- Stress reduction techniques
- Stretching exercises
Medications Used For Musculoskeletal Pain
Following medicines may a part of your treatment plan.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Prescription medications, for example, opioids
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Prevention Of Musculoskeletal Pain
Maintenance of strong bones and your body joints are important for preventing muscle pain. You can avoid musculoskeletal pain by doing the following things.
- Don’t use improper postures
- Stretch regularly
- Avoid repetitive movements
- Practice right lifting techniques
Conditions That Enhance The Risk Of Muscle Pain
Following are the conditions that can enhance the risk of musculoskeletal pain.
- Arthritis: It induces inflammation in the joints. People with arthritis suffer from stiffness and joint pain.
- Fibromyalgia: It is a chronic illness that leads to muscle fatigue and pain. People with this illness experience ligament, muscle, or tendon pain.
- Tunnel Syndrome: Some conditions cause pinched nerves or compression of nerves. Examples of these conditions are tarsal tunnel syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, and cubital tunnel syndrome. Overuse injuries often cause these conditions.