Causes of muscle pain
Medically Reviewed By : Dr Sravya, MBBS, MS
Introduction
Musculoskeletal pain is defined as the pain associated with bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. It is a common worldwide problem. It also includes lower back pain, neck pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis-related pains. Musculoskeletal pain occurs at any age.
Causes of muscle pain
- Injuries:- Injuries are caused during work, exercise, weight lifting, jumping, and running. For example abdominal strains, traumatic injuries, tendinitis, and tendinosis.
- Infections:- When bacterial and viral infections occur in the body. It leads to pain and inflammation of the muscles. For example colds, flu, Lyme disease, and malaria.
- Medications:- Some of the medications and therapies can cause pain and inflammation in the body. By activating the muscle pain receptors. For example statins, chemotherapy, ACE inhibitors.
- Neuromuscular disorders:- They can cause all over weakness and pain in the body. Examples: muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis.
- Autoimmune disorders:- When our antibodies kill their cells. It leads to inflammation and pain occurs in the muscles. For example multiple sclerosis, myositis, polymyositis.
What is myalgia and its causes
Myalgia is defined as muscle pain. Acute causes of myalgia include infections, vitamin deficiencies, and muscle injuries. Muscle aches and soreness can also be caused by chronic diseases. These diseases include depression, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia.
Causes of myalgia
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1. Acute causes
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies:- Muscle soreness is caused by many vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including vitamin D and potassium deficiency.
- Injury:- Only a few muscles and a limited area of the body are affected by the injury.
2. Chronic causes
- Fibromyalgia:- The widespread throbbing, shooting, and stabbing muscle pain is known as Fibromyalgia.
- Rheumatoid arthritis:- In the RA inflammation of joints occurs. It leads to pain and swelling in the joints.
- Multiple sclerosis:- It includes involuntary muscle spasms, stiffness, and muscle pain.
Causes of calf muscle pain, diagnosis, and its treatment
1.Causes:- Calf pain is caused by muscle cramps or strain. But sometimes it can be a sign of peripheral artery disease, ruptured Achilles tendon, and deep vein thrombosis.
- Peripheral artery disease:- It is a type of cardiovascular disease caused by fat deposits in the arteries. Due to the deposition of fat, blockage of arteries occurs in the thigh.
- Ruptured Achilles tendon:- It is the largest tendon in the body. It is ruptured by overuse and causes burning pain and stiffness in the back of your leg.
- Deep vein thrombosis:- It is defined as a severe medical disorder when a blood clot develops in a deep leg vein.
2.Diagnosis:- It includes medical history, physical examination, blood tests, and imaging.
- Medical history:- Your doctor will want to know that you experienced this disease earlier. What types of medicines did you take earlier and what are the symptoms you faced? What it feels like, when it started, whether it is worse at night or not.
- Physical examination:- Your doctor will look at and examine your lower leg to feel for any swelling, soreness, warmth, discoloration, or redness. Additionally, they might test your reflexes and examine your leg, ankle, and foot for your pulse.
- Blood tests:- Determine the main cause of calf pain with the help of specific blood tests.
a. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) tests are two of them that may detect the general inflammation connected to infections.
b. DVT or pulmonary embolism may be diagnosed with the use of a D-dimer test.
- Imaging:- An abnormality in the knee, ankle, or lower leg, especially one involving the bones or joints, can be seen on an X-ray. For the diagnosis of calf tendon tears and injuries, an ultrasound (sonogram) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used.
3. Treatment:- It includes several treatments.
- Rice method:- Some of the quickest techniques to relieve calf discomfort include rest, elevation of the affected leg, and the application of ice on the calf muscles.
- Physical therapy and stretching:- Some causes of calf discomfort may be relieved by stretching the tendons and muscles of the calf. To avoid more injuries, it is essential to stretch regularly and correctly.
- Medications:- The most frequently prescribed drugs, particularly for those who are affected with tendonitis or muscle strain, or cramps. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Etorycox (etoricoxib) and Diwot-t (thiocolchicoside).
Calf muscle cramps
An unexpected, involuntary spasm of one or more calf muscles is known as a cramp. It can be painful and intensely tight and cause a twitching sensation.
- Causes:- It is caused by low levels of iron, electrolyte imbalance, intake of medications such as clonazepam, high-intensity exercise, and vitamins such as D3 and B12 deficiencies.
- Treatment:- Stretching the affected muscle and giving a deep massage is the simplest way of treatment for both those who are sick and healthy people. Warm Up is essential before physical exercises. Uses of oral rehydration salt (ORS) for maintenance of electrolyte balance. Uses of essential vitamins such as D3 and B12. >Ruptured Achilles tendon:- It is the largest tendon in the body. It is ruptured by overuse and causes burning pain and stiffness in the back of your leg.
Muscle spasm
known as Your muscles will painfully constrict during a muscle cramp. They are frequent, uncontrollable, and involuntary. The most likely treatment includes massage, stretching, and muscle relaxants. The thighs, calves, arms, abdomen, hand, belly, and feet are the areas where muscle spasms occur most frequently.
- Causes:- Not enough flexibility, muscle tiredness, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, uncontrollable nerve discharge, stress. Leg cramps that occur at night are known as nocturnal leg cramps caused by spending a lot of time sitting down, overuse of muscles, and inappropriately seated.
- Symptoms:- Muscle spasms can be mildly uncomfortable or extremely painful. Your skin could twitch and may feel rough to the touch. Spasms are involuntary. The muscles tighten, and it takes time and therapy for them to loosen up. They are extremely prevalent, particularly in older people and athletes.
Treatment:-
- use ice and heat
- Use pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
- Stretch the area that is hurt.
- Take a warm bath, apply a heating pad, or make an ice pack for yourself.
- Getup and move around.
- Using either your hands or a massage roller, rub the affected region.
Paraspinal muscle spasm
It is defined as in which lower back muscles may constrict or stiffen up in a condition known as a back spasm. In which the patient feels infrequent spasms that only produce little discomfort. Spasms that produce constant pain are so painful they render the patient paralyzed.
It can impair the muscle mass in any spinal muscle group, including erector spinae, psoas muscles, thoracic spine and cervical spine.
- Causes:- Paraspinal muscle spasm caused by spine related disorders, muscle dysfunctions, lowered quality of life, lower muscle strength, muscle atrophy, fiber type changes, and increased muscular fat.
- Symptoms:-
1. Cramps occur at any time.
2. Weakness in the hip and back muscles.
3. Lower back acne that appears unexpectedly and severely.
4. Bending could be uncomfortable.
5. Back could feel tight or rigid.
6. Difficult to move.
- Treatment:-
1. Massage: – Firm pressure relieves muscle tension and relaxes the back when administered to the affected muscles.
2. Foam roller use: After working out, stiff muscles can be relaxed by rolling on a foam roller.
3. OTC Painkillers: – OTC Painkillers are slightly beneficial in reducing back pain. It may reduce the pain within 45-50 minutes.
4. Electrolytes and water: – Another reason for muscle spasms is dehydration and imbalance of electrolytes. They make existing spasm worse.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
It is a self-administered, economical technique for relieving pain. In which treatment occurs by the generation of pulsed electrical current and delivered on the surface of skin. When pulsed electrical current is delivered on the surface of the skin then activation of nerves occurs. It is a peripheral stimulation technique. By the use of these techniques, onset of action occurs. This technique is cheaper than long term medications.
Procedure:- In this technique electrical current passes through the surface of the skin to activate nerves which are present beneath the skin surface. Pulsed electric current is passed by the application of electric pads on the skin by the help of sticky substances produced by non-therapeutic jelly. Pulsed electric current passes with frequency (pulses per second – pps) and health care providers can set the pulse amplitude (mA).
Different TENS techniques
- Conventional TENS: This technique is used for the stimulation of large diameters of muscles “High-frequency (50-100Hz), low intensity, small pulses width (50-200us)”
- Acupuncture like TENS: This technique is used for the stimulation of small diameters of muscles “Low-frequency(2-4Hz), higher intensity, longer pulse width (100-400us)”
- Intense TENS: This technique is used for the stimulation of small areas of muscles. They have high intensities and high frequencies. Because of high intensities and frequencies of intense TENS use only for a shorter period of time.
Conclusion:
The musculoskeletal system, in summary, is a magnificent and sophisticated network of bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissues that work together to allow the human body to move, support itself, and be protected. It is essential for maintaining posture, enabling movement, and ensuring structural stability.
The capacity to identify, treat, and manage these disorders has substantially increased thanks to medical developments, physical therapy, and orthopedic procedures, enabling people to restore functioning and carry out their regular activities. For the purpose of preventing age-related conditions like osteoporosis and maintaining musculoskeletal health, it is crucial to comprehend the significance of maintaining bone density, muscular strength, and joint flexibility via exercise, a balanced diet, and good lifestyle choices. In addition to having good posture, ergonomics is crucial in minimizing strain and damage.