Muscle pain – causes and treatment. Home remedies for muscle aches

Almost everyone will experience muscle aches at some point in their life. Some of them are normal when we start a new physical activity or increase the intensity or duration of exercise. These types of muscle aches are nothing to worry about and will go away without treatment. However, muscle aches and pains can sometimes be a symptom of disease. Depending on what they are caused, they can be felt differently, e.g. by spasm, burning or stinging pain. How is muscle pain diagnosed and treated, and when should you worry about muscle pain?

Localized muscle pain – causes

Localized muscle pain is pain concentrated around one muscle or group of muscles. The reasons for such pain include:

1. stretching – the muscle can be damaged as a result of strenuous exercise or sudden movement. When a muscle is overstretched, it can lead to tension. A muscle strain is damage to a muscle or tendon (the fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones). Muscle strains can sometimes be slight, while severe strains can tear these tissues. Muscle pain caused by stretching usually feels like a sudden sensation of acute pain. The pain may also be associated with swelling or a bruise.
2. contusion – muscle pain can also be caused by a muscle contusion. This injury, also known as a bruise, can occur from a direct impact on a muscle, causing tiny blood vessels called capillaries to bleed and swelling of the surrounding tissues. In some cases, a hematoma may form in or around the damaged muscle.
3. myofascial pain syndrome – some people experience muscle pain as a symptom of a chronic condition. Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is a pain disorder caused by trigger points in the muscle. Trigger points are tight bands of muscles and / or fascia (the tissues that surround the muscles) that look like little knots under the skin. Trigger points can be tender to the touch. They can also cause stabbing pain in other parts of the body (called referred pain). Such a trigger point is, for example, at the top of the trapezius muscles at the back of the neck above each shoulder. These trigger points can cause severe pain or a burning sensation in the back or side of the head.
4. fascial tightness syndrome – fascial tightness is a rare condition that occurs when pressure rises in a group of muscles. The pressure may be due to internal bleeding or swelling of the tissues. Fascial tightness syndrome can reduce blood flow to nearby muscles and nerves, depriving them of oxygen and food. If the pressure is high, the sensory nerve fibers and muscle tissues may begin to die. Symptoms of fascial tightness include pain, numbness, a tingling sensation, and increasing weakness in the affected area. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Urgent surgery may be necessary in severe cases.
5. Purulent myositis – muscle pain can also be a sign of infection. Purulent myositis is a rare infection of muscle tissue, usually caused by bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Purulent myositis can cause cramps and pain in one muscle group, most commonly the thighs, calves, or buttocks. As the infection progresses, you may develop a fever. There may even be an abscess clearly emerging from the muscles under the skin. What’s more, if left untreated, the infection can spread to other organs, such as the heart, lungs, and brain.

Systemic muscle pain – causes

Another type of muscle pain is systemic muscle pain. These muscle aches and pains are usually associated with an infection, drug side effect, or disease.

1. infections – some types of infections, especially viral infections, can cause muscle pain. Perhaps the most common infectious cause is flu, which can cause generalized pain. COVID-19 is also known to cause muscle aches. Other infections that cause muscle aches include Lyme disease, malaria, dengue fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, trichomoniasis, and toxoplasmosis.
2. medications – muscle aches are also a common side effect of taking medications called statins, which are used to lower cholesterol. Symptoms usually appear within six months of starting treatment and may generally resolve in about two months after stopping treatment. Other drugs that can cause muscle pain include aromatase inhibitors (used to prevent recurrence of breast cancer) and bisphosphonates (used to treat osteoporosis). Muscle pains can also result from the sudden discontinuation of antidepressants.
3. fibromyalgia – muscle pain caused by this chronic disorder is often described as aching, sore, stiff, burning or throbbing. The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it is thought to involve genetics, mood disorders, past illnesses, and a chemical imbalance in the body that causes an increased sense of pain. In addition to muscle pain, people with fibromyalgia often experience sleep problems, fatigue, a feeling as if something is crawling on the skin, morning stiffness in the joints, impaired concentration and anxiety.
4. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a disorder that causes overwhelming fatigue that is not improved by rest. In addition to fatigue and malaise, people with chronic fatigue syndrome often experience generalized muscle aches, memory problems, sore throats, and dizziness when standing up.
5. rheumatic polymyalgia – this is the inflammation usually seen in adults in their 60s and 70s. It causes morning pain and stiffness in the arms, shoulders, hips, thighs and neck. Other symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, decreased appetite and fever. People with polymyalgia often complain of difficulty pulling up their socks or raising their hands above their heads to detangle or wash their hair. The condition appears to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
6. rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that, while it mainly affects the joints, can also cause muscle pain. Autoimmune disorders arise when the immune system inappropriately attacks its own cells or tissues. Muscle pain from rheumatoid arthritis is usually felt all over the body, not the same as joint pain that affects only specific joints on both sides of the body. Other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may include low-grade fever, weight loss, and fatigue.
7. Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects almost every organ, including the skin, brain, eyes, mouth, lungs, heart, kidneys, intestines and joints. Muscle aches and weakness are common in people with lupus, and are often the reason a person first seeks diagnosis and treatment. Other symptoms include fatigue, skin rashes, hair loss, headaches, joint stiffness, weight loss, and chest pain when breathing.
8. Inflammatory myopathies are a group of autoimmune diseases characterized by slow but progressive muscle weakness. Some people with myopathy also experience muscle pain or tenderness when they are touched. The term myopathy refers to disorders of the skeletal muscles. These include myopathies, such as polymyositis (which affects the muscles of many parts of the body), dermatomyositis (which causes muscle pain and skin rash), and inclusion myositis (which causes muscle tissue to stick together abnormally).
9. Hypothyroidism – The thyroid gland is responsible for the production of hormones that help regulate metabolism and many other bodily functions. When thyroid hormone levels are too low or too high, they can interfere with the nerve signals that regulate muscle contractions, leading to muscle pain. Hypothyroidism often causes muscle aches and cramps, as well as fatigue, weight gain, constipation, cold intolerance, and dry skin. It can also rarely cause muscle cramps.
10. Addison’s disease – also known as primary adrenal insufficiency, is a rare disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormones needed to regulate metabolism or sexual function. Addison’s disease is often associated with an autoimmune disease that affects the adrenal glands, but it can also be caused by injuries or tumors. Addison’s disease can cause generalized muscle pain, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, darkening of the skin, and weight loss. Addison’s disease-related muscle pain is often concentrated around the legs and lower back.
11. osteomalacia – this is the softening of the bones due to the loss of bone minerals. It is commonly associated with vitamin D and calcium deficiency. It is common in the elderly and is associated with certain medical conditions (e.g. celiac disease) and medications (e.g. anticonvulsants). People with osteomalacia may experience muscle aches due to muscle spasms. They often experience bone pain and tenderness. Osteomalacia can also increase the risk of bone fractures (called pathological fractures).
12. depression – it is very common for people with depression to suffer from generalized pain. Although pain can be psychogenic, there is evidence that imbalances in mood-regulating hormones such as serotonin and norepinephrine may contribute to symptoms of chronic pain.
13. rhabdomyolysis – a disorder in which the muscle tissues break down and release harmful substances into the bloodstream. The classic triad of symptoms in people with rhabdomyolysis is muscle pain, muscle weakness, and dark urine. There are many causes of rhabdomyolysis, including overexertion, medications, drugs, heat stroke, muscle trauma, and blood clots. If left untreated, a build-up of toxins can lead to acute kidney failure.

Some of these symptoms, such as a very high fever or difficulty breathing, will require urgent medical attention. When the pain is caused by tension, trauma, tension or stress, people usually experience discomfort in a specific area. When aches and pains appear throughout the body, it is more likely to be due to infection, medications, or an underlying disease.

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During a physical exam, your doctor may put pressure on various muscles to check for pain and tenderness (including trigger points). It may also examine the skin and surrounding tissue for signs of swelling, heat, redness, or discoloration.

Diagnostics may require laboratory and imaging tests.

1. Blood tests – These include tests called the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, Bernacki’s test) and C-reactive protein (CRP), which detect inflammation that can occur with certain diseases or infections. If an autoimmune disease is suspected, there are blood tests that can check for the presence of autoantibodies. These are proteins produced by the immune system that attack and attack normal tissues. An example of such a test is IgG antibodies against cyclic citrulline peptide (anti-CCP) used for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. TSH level tests can also check for thyroid disease, while a creatine kinase (CK) test can check an enzyme caused by muscle breakdown in people with rhabdomyolysis.
2. Urine tests – This is commonly used to diagnose rhabdomyolysis based on toxins and waste in the urine.

As for imaging tests, your doctor can use them to check for abnormalities in your muscles, including damage, bleeding, and abnormal growths. The imaging tests used to diagnose muscle pain include:

1. ultrasound – the study uses sound waves to create detailed images of internal structures.
2. Computed tomography (CT) scans – a study that captures multiple X-ray images to create three-dimensional “slices” of internal structures.
3. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – an imaging tool that uses strong magnetic and radio waves to create highly detailed images of soft tissues.

Muscle pain – treatment

After diagnosing the cause of your muscle pain, your doctor will develop a treatment plan that looks at both your symptomatic muscle pain and the underlying cause of the pain.

Medicines for muscle pain

For muscle aches and pains, your doctor may prescribe various medications to treat the underlying problem that is causing the pain.

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – can treat swelling and pain caused by muscle strain and myofascial pain syndrome. Such drugs include, for example, naproxen or ibuprofen.
2. Muscle relaxants – can help relieve pain from acute muscle damage. Such drugs include, for example, cyclobenzaprine and tizanidine.
3. Antidepressants – or tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, are sometimes prescribed to treat myofascial pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome. In cases where the above-mentioned drugs are not tolerated by the patient, other types of antidepressants, such as duloxetine, can be used.
4. Corticosteroids – They are used to treat many inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatic polymyalgia and inflammatory myopathies. However, long-term use of steroids like prednisone can cause serious side effects due to prolonged suppression of the immune system. There are also steroid-sparing medications, such as methotrexate, which can also reduce inflammation and may be safer with long-term use.
5. Vitamin Supplements – Treatment for osteomalacia often includes vitamin D supplements to help slow the loss of bone minerals. Your doctor may also advise you to eat foods rich in vitamin D.
6. Anti-infectious agents – If a bacterial infection such as purulent myositis is diagnosed, antibiotics may be needed to clear up the infection. Other viral, fungal, or parasitic causes may require antiviral, antifungal, or antiparasitic drugs, respectively.

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Physical therapy for muscle aches

Physiotherapy can be helpful for some types of muscle pain. Massage and a special spray-and-stretch technique are commonly used to treat myofascial pain syndrome. The spray-and-stretch technique is to spray the evaporating coolant on the muscles while massaging the skin towards the transferred pain. Physiotherapy is commonly recommended for people with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. It is also a standard part of rehabilitation for muscle injuries.

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Surgical treatments for muscle aches

For muscle aches and pains, surgery is not normally used, unless it is a very serious condition. For example, in people with purulent myositis, surgical drainage of the abscess is used. Interfascial tightness, on the other hand, may require a fasciotomy in which the fasciotomy covering a muscle or group of muscles is cut to relieve pressure and restore blood flow.

Muscle pain – other treatments

Complementary and alternative therapies are commonly used to relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Treatments focus on relieving stress and reducing the physical as well as emotional response to pain.

Examples of alternative treatments for muscle pain include:

1. Tai Chi;
2. massage;
3. mindfulness meditation.

Home remedies for muscle aches

There are several ways to relieve muscle pain at home. When muscle pain is related to overload or bruising, it can be treated with the RICE method, which includes:

1. Rest – Injured muscle should be allowed to rest as much as possible for inflammation to subside.
2. Ice – Apply a cold compress to the muscle for 15-minute sessions every four to six hours.
3. Compress – Wrap the muscles with an elastic bandage to reduce pain and swelling.
4. Elevation – Raise the damaged muscle and keep it above the level of the heart while you recover.

Muscle pains – prevention

Sooner or later, each of us will have to deal with muscle pains if it is not due to illness, it is due to physical activity, and so, for example, you may feel pain or tension about 12 hours after exercise. In some cases, discomfort may peak 48-72 hours later. During this time, the muscles repair and strengthen themselves. Muscle pain may improve quickly or it may last for several days.

In order to relieve existing muscle pain, it is worth massaging and stretching the muscles gently, resting, applying cold and warm compresses (cold reduces inflammation and heat increases blood flow to the muscles) or take over-the-counter painkillers (e.g. ibuprofen). Special gels containing menthol or capsaicin, which can relieve muscle pain, can also bring positive effects.

Unfortunately, muscle pain is unavoidable. It’s part of becoming stronger and healthier. However, there are some things you can do to reduce the pain. To do this, you need to:

1. warm up – Warming up your muscles before exercise may be better than stretching them. It stimulates the muscles, increasing the blood supply to them. To warm up, you need to do light versions of some exercises. These include slow jogging or cycling, skipping rope or light weight lifting.
2. to drink water – water helps to control body temperature, relax joints and transport nutrients to generate energy. Without water, the body will have difficulty reaching the highest level. You may then experience muscle cramps, tiredness, dizziness or more serious symptoms.
3. limit physical activity – it is recommended to wait about 48 hours before working on the same muscle groups in the same way (with the same intensity or the same amount of time). Limited or lighter exercise of the same muscles can actually help. For example, if you feel pain after your run, a light walk or bike ride for the next few days may help. However, complete rest and immobility should be avoided.
4. work on technique – doing exercises in the right way helps to protect us from muscle strain or injury. If we go to the gym, we can ask for help from a trainer or instructor. Such people can show us how to properly lift weights and use machines and devices.
5. calm down – it is important to stretch well after training. Muscles are more relaxed and more flexible when they are warm. Stretching also causes blood to circulate from the muscles and back to the heart, which helps regenerate them.
6. know your limitations – you may be tempted to increase the intensity of your exercise, but remember to do it slowly. Over time, you may increase the amount of weight you lift or your running time. However, if we try too early, we can get (sometimes even very seriously) injured.