Myalgia (Muscle Pain)

What is myalgia?

Myalgia means muscle pain — something we’ve all felt at one time or another. Sore muscles and body aches are common after exercise and when you have the flu. Myalgia is usually temporary and not serious. But sometimes, it can be a sign of a long-term condition that needs your attention. If you don’t know why your muscles hurt or they don’t seem to be getting better, see a healthcare provider about it.

How do healthcare providers classify myalgia?

Healthcare providers often begin by classifying myalgia as either localized (in one spot) or diffuse (all over). This can help narrow down the possible causes. Localized muscle pain or soreness in one spot is more likely to be related to an event, like an injury or recent stress on that muscle group. Diffuse, all-over body aches are more likely to be related to something affecting your whole body, like a disease.

To narrow it down further and help determine how serious your myalgia is, your provider may ask:

• How intense is your muscle pain?
• How long have you had it?
• Did it start suddenly or gradually?
• Is it constant, or does it come and go?
• Is it dull and aching or sharp and stabbing?
• Is it better or worse in the morning?
• Is it better or worse with movement?
• Do you feel pain in other places (like your joints)?
• Do you have any other symptoms (like weakness)?
• Have you recently changed your routine or medications?

What are the main causes of myalgia?

All sorts of things can cause myalgia. Some of the main types of causes include:

• Muscle stress from overuse, including repetitive strain injuries. Using your muscles more than they’re used to can strain them, causing small tears. They’ll need time and rest to recover.
• Traumatic injuries, including sports injuries and accidents. Blunt force can bruise your muscles (muscle contusion). Pulling your muscles with too much force can tear them (muscle strain).
• Viral infections and bacterial infections, which can trigger inflammation throughout your body. Many of these are temporary, like common colds and flus. But some can be longer lasting.
• Reactions to medications. Vaccines simulate viral infections. Statins can cause muscle damage as a side effect. Sometimes, withdrawing too fast from a medication causes muscle pain.
• Chronic muscle diseases (myopathies) that attack your muscle fibers. These include inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, like chronic myositis and muscular dystrophy.
• Chronic pain syndromes that cause muscle aches without damaging your muscles. Conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome can cause all-over musculoskeletal pain.
• Neuromuscular disorders that affect how your nerves communicate with your muscles. These can cause various issues, including muscle spasms, muscle wasting (atrophy) and nerve pain.
• Certain metabolic disorders and imbalances. For example, hypothyroidism, vitamin D deficiency and electrolyte imbalances can disrupt normal muscle function, causing pain.
• Ischemia, or loss of blood flow to the muscle. This can happen if you have a blood clot (muscle infarction) or if severe swelling cuts off your blood flow (muscle compartment syndrome).
• Cancer. While relatively rare, a cancerous tumor that starts in your muscle tissue or intrudes into it can cause muscle pain. Cancers that start in your soft tissues are called sarcomas.

How do you relieve muscle pain?

Muscle pain from temporary causes, like exercise, strain or a passing infection, will usually improve with rest and home care. But if soreness persists for more than a few days, or worsens despite rest, this could be a sign of a more serious issue that requires professional care. Call your provider if your pain doesn’t improve. You might need medications, physical therapy or even a procedure to treat some conditions.

Home treatments for muscle pain relief

Muscle soreness after exercise is common, especially after trying something new. You may get sore muscles right away (acute soreness), or it may set in a day or two later (delayed-onset muscle soreness). On the flip side, you may have pain from not moving enough, or from only using some muscles and not others. For example, desk jobs involving long hours of sitting can cause muscle stiffness and pain.

Self-care for everyday muscle aches and pains can include:

• Rest. If you’ve overused or strained your muscles, it means there are small tears in the fibers that need to heal. Giving your muscles a rest will give them the chance to build back stronger.
• Gentle stretching. Careful, gentle stretching can help prevent stiffness while your muscles recover. If you have an injury, a physical therapist can guide you on when and how to stretch.
• Massage. Massage can relieve tension and restore blood flow to sore muscles, whether they’re sore from overuse or underuse. Athletes use sports massage to recover from exercise faster.
• Cold therapy. For recent injuries or acute, throbbing pain, cold therapy can help by reducing inflammation and swelling. Try an ice pack on your sore muscles or soaking them in a cold bath.
• Heat therapy. For older injuries or general tension and stiffness, heat therapy can help by relaxing your muscles and encouraging blood flow. Try a heat wrap or a warm bath.
• OTC medications. Try over-the-counter pain relievers to treat minor aches and pains. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), like aspirin and ibuprofen, also reduce inflammation.
• Topical treatments. Topical pain relievers can help relieve localized muscle pain. Look for ingredients like menthol, capsaicin or lidocaine, which can numb the area to reduce soreness.

When should I see a healthcare provider about myalgia?

Contact a healthcare provider about myalgia if:

• You have severe pain, redness (discoloration) or swelling at the site.
• Your muscle pain has lasted more than a week and you don’t know the cause.
• You’ve had other symptoms of illness for more than a week, like fever and fatigue.
• You have chest pain or pressure, an abnormal heartbeat or shortness of breath. These could be symptoms of a heart attack. If you have these symptoms, seek emergency care.