Muscle pain: 10 main causes and how to treat

Muscle pain is a common situation that can have several causes, and may be associated with work and/or sporting activities, which can result in muscle contractures, for example. This symptom may appear during physical activity or immediately afterwards, and may appear up to 48 hours after exercise. Furthermore, muscle pain can also be associated with diseases, such as fibromyalgia, for example.

To relieve and treat muscle pain, it is recommended that the person rests and stretches and massages the area of ​​pain. However, when muscle pain is frequent or increases in intensity over time, the doctor may recommend the use of muscle relaxing medication.

The best way to avoid muscle pain is prevention and for this it is recommended that people carry out physical activities regularly, as well as stretching, in addition to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding smoking, consuming alcoholic beverages and reducing sugar consumption, for example.

1. Physical activity

Performing physical activity is the main cause of muscle pain, being mainly related to the intensity and type of exercise, as well as the time it is carried out and the person’s level of training. Therefore, it is important that the person is guided by a physical education professional so that the type of exercise is guided according to the characteristics of each person.

Furthermore, depending on the type of exercise performed, it may be necessary to use protective equipment, such as helmets, bands, belts and joint protection, as this makes it possible to prevent the development of complications, such as hernias and fractures, for example.

2. Stress or anxiety

Muscle pain caused by excess stress and anxiety often leads to tension in the muscles of the shoulders, neck and back, causing stiffness or muscle spasms that can make daily activities difficult or impossible.

Other symptoms that may appear, in addition to muscle pain, are headache, muscle weakness and a tingling sensation in the extremities.

Therefore, if long periods of stress and anxiety are experienced, it is recommended that a psychologist and general practitioner be consulted so that relaxation techniques can be recommended and, if necessary, the use of medication to reduce symptoms.

3. Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a very common chronic pain disorder characterized by the appearance of pain in various parts of the body, which can last for months, making the person unable to carry out daily activities. The main pain sites for fibromyalgia are the lower back, neck, hips and knees. Know how to recognize the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

In fibromyalgia, it is also common for people to feel pain when touched, because there is greater sensitivity. Therefore, the doctor may recommend the use of painkillers or muscle relaxants, as well as exercises to relieve pain.

4. Osteomalacia

Osteomalacia is a disease characterized by greater fragility of the bones, with a greater risk of fracture, due to a deficiency of vitamin D, which can cause deformity in the bones and muscle problems, which can also cause pain in various parts of the body.

Therefore, it is common for the treatment of osteomalacia to involve calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D supplementation.

5. Circulatory problems

Some circulatory problems, such as varicose veins, cause symptoms such as greater sensitivity in the area, swelling in the leg and a feeling of heaviness, as well as pain, which can be perceived as muscle pain when walking or remaining at rest.

Varicose veins can be caused by situations such as obesity, circulation problems or pregnancy, and the doctor may recommend the use of medication to improve circulation and/or the use of compression stockings, for example.

6. Inflammation of the sciatic nerve

Compression or inflammation of the sciatic nerve causes symptoms such as a stinging sensation, intense burning in the back, buttocks or legs, causing difficulty in keeping the spine straight and pain when walking.

Therefore, the doctor may recommend some analgesics and anti-inflammatories, as well as exercises to help reduce inflammation in this nerve. Check out more details about sciatic nerve inflammation.

7. Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism can have the symptoms of excessive tiredness and pain in the joints and muscles, especially in the shoulders and hips, which can make it difficult to carry out daily activities, such as working or practicing physical activity.

8. Hemodialysis

Hemodialysis is a type of treatment that filters the blood when the kidneys do not work properly. Some of the symptoms that can occur as a result of this procedure are headache and cramps that can cause pain throughout the body due to the rapid extraction of liquid during the procedure.

9. Infection by bacteria, viruses and parasites

Bacterial, viral and parasitic infections caused by Staphylococcus aureuscytomegalovirus or Toxoplasma gondiican lead to the formation of an abscess in the muscle, causing weakening of the musculoskeletal system and electrolyte disturbances, resulting in pain in various parts of the body.

10. Medicines

The use of some medications, drugs or substances such as alcohol, cocaine, colchicine, antimalarials, labetalol, salbutamol, cyclosporine and zidovudine, for example, can cause muscle pain when used chronically or due to interaction with other medications. Therefore, it is important to contact your doctor if you notice muscle pain after starting to use a medication, as this way the doctor can advise you to suspend, change or change the dose of the medication.

How the treatment is carried out

Treatment for muscle pain must be carried out according to the degree of pain and the possible cause, and it is recommended to go to the orthopedist if the pain is frequent and increases in intensity throughout the day, so that the diagnosis can be made and, thus, treatment can be started. treatment.

1. Medicines

Treatment with medication is normally indicated by the orthopedist when the pain is intense and frequent, and the use of muscle relaxants, such as Miosan, analgesic medications, such as Paracetamol and Dipirone, or anti-inflammatory medications, such as Ibuprofen, may be indicated. Nimesulide and Naproxen.

2. Ointments

In addition to the medications that may be recommended to relieve muscle pain, the doctor may recommend the use of ointments, which should be applied to the painful area. The most recommended ointments for muscle pain are Calminex, Gelol and Diclofenac, also known as Voltaren or Cataflan, which are anti-inflammatory ointments.

The use of ointments must be guided by the doctor, but it is normally recommended that the ointment be applied 2 to 3 times a day in circular movements in the region where the pain is felt. If the pain does not go away even with the use of ointments, it is recommended to return to the doctor so that further tests can be carried out and, thus, the cause of the pain can be identified and another type of treatment can be started.

3. Natural treatment

The natural treatment for muscle pain consists of taking a bath with hot water, as it stimulates circulation, relieving pain, massaging with oils or vinegar, stretching the affected muscle and resting.

It is important to move the muscle to prevent the formation of scars in the muscle and progressive stiffness. Immobilization should only be done when indicated by the doctor and is normally only done when the extent of the injury responsible for the muscle pain is great. Discover other home treatments for muscle pain.

Alternating between cold and hot compresses at the site of pain is also an option for relieving muscle pain, as while ice is able to reduce pain and local swelling, the hot compress can relax the muscle. Know when to use a cold or hot compress.

Additionally, relief from muscle pain can be achieved through self-massage with a rigid foam roller, which can be found in sporting goods stores, rehabilitation stores or online. To perform a self-massage, simply place the roller on the painful area and slide it using your own body weight. The effects promoted by the roller are quickly perceived and cumulative.