All of us have experienced the annoying and occasionally debilitating discomfort of muscle pain.
Causes:
It can be brought on by a host of conditions and injuries, including:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Falls
- Illness
- Trauma
- Repetitive motion.
- Even a mild workout or a night of dancing can lead to muscle pain.
Certain jobs that are physically taxing can also cause discomfort in the muscles of the arms, legs and trunk. Athletes must also deal with occasional aches and pains.
This type of pain can involve one muscle or a whole group of muscles. It can also involve:
- Ligaments
- Tendons
- The soft tissues that connect the muscles, bones and organs (fascia).
Many people are able to identify the cause of their muscle pain, especially if it develops shortly after a workout or physically taxing event. Some people have underlying medical issues and diagnosis can be elusive for some.
Some of the potential causes of muscle pain include:
- The flu
- Other types of infections such as:
- Malaria
- Lyme Disease
- Trichinosis;
- Connective tissue disorders such as
- Lupus
- Fibromyalgia
- Overuse of muscles
- Sprains or strains
- Stress
- The imbalance of electrolytes in the body.
Muscle pain can also be chronic in nature, leading patients to become withdrawn, angry, stressed and/or depressed.
Treatment Options
Treating muscle pain may be as easy as resting the affected area and taking an over-the-counter analgesic. Icing the area and alternating heat therapy may also work. Depending on the cause, some people may need more aggressive treatment such as physical therapy, psychotherapy and prescription medication for pain control or to deal with symptoms and complications if an underlying cause is identified.
Even though people may be sore, exercise, gentle stretching, yoga, meditation and massage can offer benefits. They can help to relax muscles that become rigid and painful. Simple measures may be enough to treat occasional muscle aches and pains. If there is a primary condition that causes this pain, a doctor or pain specialist may be needed.
A doctor should check out pain that extends beyond three days. Other reasons to consult a doctor include:
- Sudden or severe pain
- Signs of infection near the muscle (pain, redness and swelling)
- A rash or tick bite
- Pain that develops after medication doses are started, changed or increased.
There are certain things you can do to prevent muscle pain during physical activity or strenuous exercise. People who exercise should always do a warm up and cool down, along with stretching. Drinking plenty of fluids is also helpful before, during and after exercise. It also helps to move around at least once an hour if you work at a job where you are in a certain position for an extended period of time.
We receive a large number of patients that suffer with constant muscle pain, and have used opiates in order to manage the discomfort. The issue is that the daily use of opiates can create dependence and a dosage progression. We treat patients who suffer from chronic pain, and somewhere along the way lost control of their painkiller intake. We provide detoxification in a full-service accredited hospital, where patients are admitted to their private room for assessment and an individualized detoxification plan.
For more information about our services and options, give us a call today at 310-205-0808
