Muscle pain occurs due to various causes like: injury, trauma, intense physical exercise and strenuous work. It corresponds to a painful event involving the muscles. The main cause of muscle pain is almost always too much or too prolonged effort, along with stress and bad posture that favor muscle fatigue and pain, especially in the neck, shoulders and back. However, muscle pain can also be a symptom of diseases, commonly of influence but also of: arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia or other systemic diseases, that is, diseases involving the whole organism such as lupus.

 

What kind of diseases can be associated with muscle pain?

The following diseases may be associated with the problem:

  • AIDS
  • Metabolic acidosis
  • Acromegaly
  • Arthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Arthrosis
  • Bronchitis
  • Coccydynia
  • Colitis
  • Dengue
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Diabetes
  • Distortions
  • Ebola
  • Hepatitis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Viral gastroenteritis
  • Influence
  • Adrenal insufficiency
  • Hyperparathyroidism
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus
  • Malaria
  • Cat-scratch disease
  • Chagas disease
  • Lyme disease
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Meningitis
  • Mononucleosis
  • Measles
  • Hashimoto
  • Paget's disease
  • Whitlow
  • Polymyalgia rheumatica
  • Poliomyelitis
  • Pneumonia
  • Porphyria
  • Anger
  • Rhabdomyolysis
  • Salmonella
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Scleroderma
  • Scurvy
  • Syphilis
  • Premenstrual syndrome
  • Tetanus
  • Typhus
  • Toxoplasmosis

Remember that this is not an exhaustive list and it is highly recommended to consult your doctor in case of symptom’s persistence.

 

What is the therapy for muscle pain?

To reduce or counteract the muscle pain it is necessary to trace the origin of the problem. Only a correct diagnosis can have an effective remedy.

Rest is the first measure to be taken. In cases where the pain is related to the overuse of the muscles, such as during sports the patient can, under medical supervision, relieve pain, swelling and inflammation with the use of non-prolonged pain killers, anti-inflammatories, cold wraps to reduce swelling and heat controlled application, such as ultrasound and Tecartherapy.

In other cases the pain can be relieved by massages and physiotherapy.

 

When is most likely to contact your doctor in case of muscle pain?

In cases where the pain is following a trauma or a bruise, it is necessary to seek medical treatment at an emergency room.

The patient should seek medical treatment if the pain occurs suddenly and does not pass after three days or more, or if it is associated with fever, swelling or redness of the part. Also you should seek medical help if the pain is acute and is not conducive to the movement.