Search: Types of Muscle Pain
What Causes Musculoskeletal Pain?
The causes of musculoskeletal pain are varied. Muscle tissue can be damaged with the wear and tear of daily activities. Trauma to an area (jerking movements, auto accidents, falls, fractures, sprains, dislocations, and direct blows to the muscle) also can cause musculoskeletal pain. Other causes of pain include postural strain, repetitive movements, overuse, and prolonged immobilization. Changes in posture or poor body mechanics may bring about spinal alignment problems and muscle shortening, therefore causing other muscles to be misused and become painful.
What Are the Symptoms of Musculoskeletal Pain?
People with musculoskeletal pain sometimes complain that their entire bodies ache. Their muscles may feel like they have been pulled or overworked. Sometimes, the muscles twitch or burn. Symptoms vary from person to person, but the common symptoms are:
Localized or widespread pain that can worsen with movement.
Aching or stiffness of the entire body.
The feeling that your muscles have been pulled or overworked
The sensation of "burning" in your muscles
What are the different types of musculoskeletal pain?
Musculoskeletal pain has varying symptoms and causes. Some of the more common types of pain include:
Bone pain: This is usually deep, penetrating, or dull. It most commonly results from injury. It is important to be sure that the pain is not related to a fracture or tumor.
Muscle pain: This is often less intense than bone pain, but it can still be debilitating. Muscle pain can be caused by an injury, an autoimmune reaction, loss of blood flow to the muscle, infection, or a tumor. The pain can also include muscle spasms and cramps.
Tendon and ligament pain: Pains in the tendons or ligaments are often caused by injuries, including sprains. This type of musculoskeletal pain often becomes worse when the affected area is stretched or moved.
Fibromyalgia: This is a condition that may cause pain in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments. The pain is usually in multiple locations and can be difficult to describe. Fibromyalgia is usually accompanied by other symptoms.
Joint pain: Joint injuries and diseases usually produce a stiff, aching, "arthritic" pain. The pain may range from mild to severe and worsens when moving the joint. The joints may also swell. Joint inflammation (arthritis) is a common cause of pain.
"Tunnel" syndromes: This refers to musculoskeletal disorders that cause pain due to nerve compression. The disorders include carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and tarsal tunnel syndrome. The pain tends to spread along the path supplied by the nerve and may feel like burning. These disorders are often caused by overuse.
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
Exercise physiologists refer to the gradually increasing discomfort that occurs between 24 and 48 hours after activity as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and it is perfectly normal.
"Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common result of physical activity that stresses the muscle tissue beyond what it is accustomed to," says David O. Draper, professor and director of the graduate program in sports medicine/athletic training at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.
To be more specific, says Draper, who's also a member of the heat-responsive pain council, delayed onset muscle soreness occurs when the muscle is performing an eccentric or a lengthening contraction. Examples of this would be running downhill or the lengthening portion of a bicep curl.
"Small microscopic tears occur in the muscle," he says.
The mild muscle strain injury creates microscopic damage to the muscle fibers. Scientists believe this damage, coupled with the inflammation that accompanies these tears, causes the pain.
"The aches and pains should be minor," says Carol Torgan, an exercise physiologist and fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, "and are simply indications that muscles are adapting to your fitness regimen."
How Is Musculoskeletal Pain Diagnosed?
Your doctor will conduct a thorough physical examination and medical history. In addition, your doctor may perform diagnostic studies to confirm the diagnosis.
The doctor will then conduct a hands-on examination looking for the source of the pain. This may include palpating the affected area. This helps him or her locate the origin of the pain. However, to determine the underlying cause of the pain, the doctor will often follow the exam with laboratory tests and X-rays.
DOMS .. Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
Blood tests of kidney and liver function (CPK Levels)
X-rays to take images of the bones
CT scans to get an even more detailed look at the bones
MRIs to look at soft tissues such as muscles, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons
Based on the findings from your examination and the results of these tests, your doctor should be able to diagnose the cause and type of your pain. This will help him or her to create a treatment plan for you.
When the total CPK level is very high, it most often means there has been injury or stress to muscle tissue, the heart, or the brain. Muscle tissue injury is most likely. When a muscle is damaged, CPK leaks into the bloodstream.
How Is Musculoskeletal Pain Treated?
Different types of manual therapy, or mobilization, can be used to treat people with spinal alignment problems. For some acute musculoskeletal pain, these techniques have been shown to speed recovery.
Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) may be used to treat inflammation or pain.
In patients with musculoskeletal disorders such as fibromyalgia, medications to increase the body's level of serotonin and norepinephrine (neurotransmitters that modulate sleep, pain, and immune system function) may be prescribed in low doses. Some of the medicines used to aid sleep include zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and ramelteon (Rozerem).
Other treatments may include:
Physical or occupational therapy
Using a splint to immobilize the affected joint and allow healing
Reducing workload and increasing rest
Reducing stress through relaxation and biofeedback techniques
Acupuncture or acupressure
Injections with anesthetic or anti-inflammatory medications in or around the painful sites
Strengthening and conditioning exercises
Steam or Wet sauna or a hot tub
For patients with fibromyalgia, medications to increase the body's levels of serotonin and norepinephrine (neurotransmitters that modulate sleep, pain, and immune system function) are often prescribed in low doses.
Pain relievers may be used during treatment for any type of musculoskeletal pain. Your doctor may recommend analgesics such as acetaminophen, NSAIDS, or, if pain is severe, opioids.
Drink water to reduce DOMS, flush latic acid, and repair strength loss.
Whey Protean, Creatine, Glutamine
Magnesium, commonly found in epson salts
Cinnamon to improve insulin sensitivity for faster tissue repair and glycogen replenishment
Eat eggs to speed tissue repair.
Use fermented foods to improve digestion & boost immunity.
almonds & other nuts to accelerate repair of damaged tissue.
Animal proteans, like: cod, salmon, & other fish to support protein synthesis and reduce inflammation.
High-glycemic fruits & starches to replenish glycogen fast.
Leafy green and cruciferous veggies to improve metabolism.
Blueberries, tart cherries, and other dark-colored fruit to reduce DOMS.
Drinking a caffeinated beverage can accelerate recovery by both reducing muscle soreness and restoring CNS function so you recuperate strength faster after an intense workout.
When to see a doctor about muscle aches
Muscle aches are not always harmless, and in some instances, home treatment isn’t enough to address the underlying cause. Myalgia can also be a sign that something is seriously wrong in your body.
You should see your doctor for:
pain that does not go away after a few days of home treatment
severe muscle pain that arises without a clear cause
muscle pain that occurs along with a rash
muscle pain that occurs after a tick bite
myalgia accompanied by redness or swelling
pain that occurs soon after a change in the medications you take
pain that occurs with an elevated temperature
The following can be a sign of a medical emergency. Get to the hospital as soon as possible if you experience any of the following along with aching muscles:
a sudden onset of water retention or a reduction in urine volume
vomiting or running a fever
trouble catching your breath
stiffness in your neck area
inability to move the affected area of the body
Tips for preventing sore muscles
If your muscle pain is caused by tension or physical activity, take these measures to lower your risk of developing muscle pain in the future:
Stretch your muscles before engaging in physical activity and after workouts.
Incorporate a warm-up and a cooldown into all of your exercise sessions.
Stay hydrated, especially on days when you are active.
Engage in regular exercise to help promote optimal muscle tone.
Get up and stretch regularly if you work at a desk or in an environment that puts you at risk for muscle strain or tension.
People who work at a desk should make an effort to get up and stretch at least every 60 minutes.
Your sore muscles might be due to something other than tension and physical activity. In this case, your doctor will best be able to advise you on how to fully resolve your muscle pain. The first priority will be to treat the primary condition.
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