The causes of muscle pain can vary.
Muscle pain can also feel differentaching, cramping, stabbing, or burningdepending on what is causing it.
It also highlights which symptoms may warrant a call to your healthcare provider.
Verywell / Alexandra Gordon
Muscle Strain
Injuries are a common cause of muscle pain.
A muscle can become injured as a result of strenuous exercise or sudden movement.
When a muscle is overstretched, it can lead to amuscle strain(a.k.a.
a pulled muscle).
Muscle strains can sometimes be minor, while severe strains can cause these tissues to tear.
Muscle pain from a strain usually feels like a sudden sharp or tearing sensation.
The pain may also be accompanied by swelling or bruising.
Initial treatment with theRICE protocolis usually very effective.
Physical therapy can aid long-term recovery.
Muscle Contusion
Muscle pain can also be because of amuscle contusion.
In addition to muscle pain, the overlying skin may develop bruising (known as a skin contusion).
If symptoms persist, talk to your healthcare provider to prevent permanent damage to the soft tissues.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Some people experience muscle pain as a symptom of a chronic condition.
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS)is a pain disorder because of trigger points within a muscle.
Trigger points may be tender to the touch.
They can also cause shooting pains to other parts of the body (known asreferred pain).
A common trigger point is in theupper trapezius musclessituated at the back of the neck above each shoulder.
These trigger points can cause a deep aching or burning sensation in the back or side of the head.
Other treatments may include:
Compartment Syndrome
Some causes of muscle pain are serious.
Compartment syndromeis an uncommon condition that takes place if pressure builds within a group of muscles.
The pressure can arise from internal bleeding or the swelling of tissues.
Compartment syndrome can reduce blood flow to regional muscles and nerves, depriving them of oxygen and nourishment.
If the pressure is severe, nerve, skin, and muscle tissues can start to die.
Symptoms of compartment syndrome include pain, numbness, pins-and-needles sensations, and increasing weakness in the affected area.
The symptoms can range from mild to severe.
Physical therapy, orthotics (inserts for shoes), and anti-inflammatory medicines may be some initial treatment options.
Pyomyositis
Muscle pain can also be a sign of an infection.
Some of these infections can be very serious.
Pyomyositis is a rare infection of muscle tissues usually resulting from a bacteria calledStaphylococcus aureus.
As the infection progresses, a fever can develop.
There may even be anabscess(a collection of pus) visibly emerging from the muscles beneath the skin.
Causes of Systemic Muscle Pain
Another kind of muscle pain is called systemic myalgia.
These muscle aches are usually related to an infection, medication side effect, or underlying disease.
Infections
Certain types of infections, especially viral, may cause muscle pain.
Medications
Muscle aches are a common side effect of drugs calledstatinsthat are used to lower cholesterol.
It is best not to stop any of these medications before talking to your healthcare provider.
They may suggest trying a lower dose or different medication to treat the condition or discontinuing the medication.
Fibromyalgia
Widespread muscle pain is a symptom offibromyalgia.
Fatigue, weight loss, poor appetite, and fever may also occur.
Other steroid-sparing drugs likemethotrexatecan also reduce inflammation and may be safer for long-term use.
Monoclonal antibody biologics like Kevzara (sarilumab) may also be an option for some people.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints.
However, RA can also cause muscle pain.
Autoimmune disordersoccur when the immune system inappropriately attacks its own cells or tissues.
Muscle pain from RA is usually felt all over the body.
In addition, RA can cause a low-grade fever, weight loss, and fatigue.
Inflammatory Myopathy
Inflammatory myopathiesare a group of autoimmune diseases characterized by slow but progressive muscle weakness.
Some people with myopathy also have muscle pain or tenderness when touched.
The termmyopathyrefers to disorders of the muscles of the skeleton.
Treatment for these myopathies may include steroids and steroid-sparing drugs to reduce inflammation.
Less commonly, an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) can cause muscle cramps.
Muscle pain associated with Addison’s disease is often centered around the legs and lower back.
People with Addison’s disease are treated by replacing the deficient hormones cortisol and aldosterone.
Osteomalacia
Osteomalaciais the softening of bone due to the loss of bone minerals.
It is commonly associated with a deficiency of vitamin D and calcium.
People with osteomalacia can have muscle pain from muscle spasms and cramps.
They often have aching bone pain and tenderness.
Osteomalacia can also increase a person’s risk of bone fractures (referred to aspathologic fractures).
The treatment of osteomalacia often involves prescriptionvitamin D supplementsto slow the loss of bone minerals.
In fact, generalized aches and pains are commonly reported by people with undiagnosed or untreated depression.
The classic triad of symptoms in people with rhabdomyolysis is muscle pain, muscle weakness, and dark urine.
Treatment includes providing intravenous (IV) fluids and discontinuing medications or drugs that may be contributing causes.
If left untreated, the accumulation of toxins can lead toacute kidney failure.
Lab and imaging tests may also be ordered.
Blood and Urine Tests
Blood tests can be useful in diagnosing certain causes of muscle pain.
If an autoimmune disease is suspected, there are blood tests that can check for autoantibodies.
These are proteins produced by the immune system that target and attack normal tissues.
An example of a test is theanti-citrullinated protein antibody (anti-CCP)assay used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis.
Low blood magnesium may also be associated with muscle signs and symptoms.
Analdolase testcan help tell if muscle pain and weakness is brought on by a muscle or neurological problem.
Urinalysisis also commonly used to diagnose rhabdomyolysis based on toxins and waste found in the urine.
Imaging
Muscle pain causes can also be narrowed done more through imaging tests.
At other times, it may be the result of a systemic (whole-body) disease or infection.
The treatment of muscle pain can vary by the cause and may involve everything from prolonged rest to surgery.
Yes, some people who get COVID-19 experience muscle aches as a symptom.
Statin drugs used to treat high cholesterol are commonly linked to myalgia (muscle pain).
Other medications associated with myalgia include corticosteroids (steroids), immunosuppressants, and fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
It depends on the cause.
Muscle strains (a.k.a.
It can be difficult to tell the difference.
However, with a sore muscle, the pain will develop a day or two after strenuous activities.
With a pulled muscle (muscle strain), the pain will be immediate and often be sharp.
If you’ve had a muscle injury, stretching exercises will typically be a part of the recovery plan.
Alternative remedies for muscle pain include mindfulness, tai chi, massage, and meditation.
Some people find trigger point massage therapy helpful for treating chronic muscle pain.
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