General body pain or muscle aches are also known as muscle pain, myalgia, or simply pain in the muscles. Muscle aches are extremely common. Almost everybody has likely experienced discomfort in his or her muscles at some point. Because almost every part of the body has muscle tissue, this type of pain can be felt practically anywhere.
Causes of Muscle Pain
Often, people who experience muscle aches can easily pinpoint the cause. This is because most instances of myalgia result from too much stress, tension, or physical activity. Some common causes include:
- muscle tension in one or more areas of the body
- overusing the muscle during physical activity
- injuring the muscle while engaging in physically demanding work or exercise (muscle sprains and strains are both injuries that can cause muscle aches and pain)
Not all muscle aches are related to stress, tension, and physical activity. Some medical explanations for myalgia include:
- Fibromyalgia (which can frequently be a cause of concern in females)
- infections, such as the flu
- lupus
- use of certain medications or drugs
- dermatomyositis (marked by inflammation and a rash)
- polymyositis (marked by inflammation and tenderness)
Muscle Pain Treatment
Home Care: Muscle aches often respond well to home treatment. Some measures you can take to ease any muscle discomfort from injuries and overuse include:
- resting the area of the body where you are experiencing aches and pains
- taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen
- applying ice to the affected area to help relieve pain and ease inflammation
Other measures that may provide relief from muscle pain due to a variety of causes include:
- Gently stretching the muscles
- Avoiding high-impact activities until after the muscle pain goes away
- Avoiding weight-lifting sessions until the muscle pain is resolved
- Giving yourself time to rest
- Doing stress-relieving activities and exercises such as yoga and meditation to relieve tension
Specialized Care: Muscle aches are not always harmless, and in some instances, home treatment is not enough. Myalgia can also be a sign that something is seriously wrong in your body.
You should see a specialized pain physician if you have:
- pain that does not go away after a few days of home treatment
- severe muscle pain if you are unsure of the cause
- muscle pain that occurs along with a rash
- myalgia accompanied by redness or swelling
- pain that occurs soon after a change in the medications you take
Body Pain Treatment and Muscle Pain Treatment Options available at DPMC
The treatment selection for general body pain can vary depending on the specific type of pain. In general, one of the following treatment options can be helpful:
- Medication
- Physical Therapy
- Nerve blocks and injections
- Ozone therapy
- Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
- Radiofrequency lesioning
