Muscle pain: symptoms, causes and treatments

The causes of muscle pain

Muscle pain, also called myalgiaThese can be linked to injuries or an accumulation of a specific substance in muscle tissue. They often appear after physical exertion or excessive stretching, although some medications can also cause myalgia.

The most common symptoms are shooting pains, numbness, a muscle stiffness, a pressure sensitivity or alternatively tinglingHowever, this can progress to a burning sensation, discomfort when moving, etc.

Muscle aches

Among the most common types of muscle pain are the aches. It's about a muscle inflammation This is due to the elimination of waste products accumulated during exertion. The elimination of waste products and the rebuilding of damaged elements in muscle cells are what cause the pain. The repair and elimination phase generally takes between 2 and 5 days.

Although muscle soreness usually heals on its own within a few days, you can still take paracetamol to relieve the pain. To help the injury heal, you can apply a heating patch on the sore area. Indeed, heat increases blood flow to the inflamed tissues and accelerates muscle healing.

Muscle fatigue

In case of lack of sleep or excessive strain on a muscle, a muscle fatigue This can be felt. In this case, the fatigued muscle will have more difficulty responding to a command.

In order to relieve muscle fatigue, it is necessary first to restJust as with muscle soreness, it is possible to apply a heating patch for about 8 hours to relieve pain and facilitate recovery.

Cramps

Another type of pain, shorter and more painful, is the cramps. it's about the sudden contraction of a muscle. Although usually very painful, cramps are brief. They frequently occur during stretching, although the cause is not necessarily related to physical activity.

When you feel a cramp coming on, it is recommended tostretch the muscle To limit its occurrence, if a cramp develops, stretch the muscle for a few minutes until the contraction stops. The pain will then disappear over time, within a few hours.

Muscle contracture

Recurring muscle pain, if you are an athlete, is the contractionThis is a muscle contraction, usually long and painful, that can last between 5 and 10 days. They are often associated with a overtraining in sports or a muscle overwork concerned. This type of muscle pain often affects the legs such as the calves, thighs or higher areas such as the buttocks or neck (torticollis).

Muscle tear

If the muscle is overworked or hasn't had time to recover after exertion, it can suffer a muscle tearIn this case, part of the muscle tissue tears, causing pain and a longer recovery time.

The breakdown

If the tear is more significant, it is then referred to as breakdown or a partial tear. This injury is very painful and requires immediate cessation of all activity or exertion. A muscle strain can affect part or all of the muscle, in which case it is a complete tear. The injury then requires lots of rest, up to 6 months for a complete rupture, and may require surgery and rehabilitation sessions to help the muscle heal properly.

To relieve muscle spasms, tears, or strains, it is essential to first...stop all physical activity and any strain on the muscle, and rest it. You can then apply a heat pack if there is a muscle spasm. For a tear or rupture, wait until the inflammation has subsided before applying a heat pack. Afterwards, you can have massages or physiotherapy, as well as gentle and progressive stretching exercises after a few days.

If the pain is too intense, it is recommended to seek advice from your doctor.

Most muscle pains are benign and are not a sign of illness.

However, they can sometimes be a symptom of a infectious diseases (flu, COVID-19, mononucleosis, etc.) or a inflammatory disease (Rheumatoid polymyalgia, Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Myositis, Rheumatoid arthritis) or metabolic disorders, neurological or muscular diseases.

Some nutritional deficiencies can cause muscle pain, cramps, fatigue, or weakness. Examples include deficiencies in magnesium, calcium, potassium, vitamin D, vitamin B (B1, B6, B12).

It is important to consult a doctor and have a blood test to identify any deficiencies before adapting your diet or taking dietary supplements or medication.

How to avoid muscle pain?

The best approach is always to prevent muscle pain altogether. With a few simple everyday actions, it's possible to minimize the occurrence of pain. For example, when you're on the phone, remember to keep your back and neck straight. If you often work at a desk, remember to keep your back straight against the backrest. Conversely, if you work standing up, try putting one leg forward while keeping your back straight and bending your other leg to adjust the height.

Engage in a sporting activity that allows you to tone your body is also recommended, as are gymnastics, yoga, or swimming. Always be careful to... hydrate and warm up before the effort, then stretch after.