Causes of Muscle Pain
By Madhusudhan Tammisetti
Many people suffer from muscle pain, often known as myalgia. Overuse or damage to a muscle is the most prevalent cause of muscle pain (strain). Viral infections such as influenza, suffering from medical conditions such as hypothyroidism or fibromyalgia, or taking some medications may trigger systemic muscular pain.
Depending on what's causing the muscle pain, you may feel aching, stabbing, cramping, or burning. The patient's medical history and physical examination are required to determine the cause of the muscle pain.
A chiropractor may develop a treatment program after you've been diagnosed, one that may hopefully provide you with relief from pain.
Muscle Strain
Strenuous activity or sudden movement may cause muscles to become overworked, damaged, or inflamed. For instance, athletes may overstretch or strain calf muscles while rapidly pushing off to leap when playing basketball.
Muscle strains are commonly followed by swelling and bruising and a sharp or tearing feeling.
Muscle Cramp Causes and Symptoms
Muscle cramps, also known as spasms, are an uncontrollable contraction or tightness of muscles. A charley horse is a condition in which the calf muscle contracts, causing excruciating pain. Your calf is often painful after the muscle relaxes, typically within seconds.
It's unknown what causes muscular cramps, although experts suggest various factors, including muscle dehydration, fatigue, improper stretching, and doing exercise in extreme hot weather.
Cirrhosis and disease in the peripheral artery are two underlying illnesses that may cause muscle spasms.
Muscle Contusion
A direct blow to the muscle, such as a fall onto the ground or being struck during a sporting event, may result in a muscle contusion (bruise). The direct blow may severely damage the muscle fiber and connective tissue surrounding it.
The skin surrounding the affected muscle may become bloated and discolored, along with the muscular pain. Furthermore, the affected person may have weakness and stiffness in the afflicted region, and a hematoma (blood collection) may develop around the damaged muscle in certain situations.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome Causes and Symptoms
Trigger points inside muscles induce myofascial pain syndrome (MPS).
Trigger points are tight muscle bands or fascia that feel like small knots beneath the skin. The pain may be transferred to other body parts by tender trigger points.
Trigger points are often seen in the upper portion of trapezius muscles that are located on the back of the neck on each shoulder. Trapezius trigger points may result in a burning headache on the side or back of the head. It may also cause deep aching.
A chiropractor may suggest resting the damaged muscle to enable the initial inflammation to diminish. The chiropractor may advise you to use cold therapy. For every 15 minutes, apply a cold compress to the aching muscle sessions every four hours.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Fort Worth, Tex.