Learn a little more about muscle pain
Our body is made up of over 600 muscles, making it impossible to avoid muscle pain, also known as myalgia. Common and usually mild, these pains should still be monitored.
What are the symptoms and causes of myalgias? How can they be relieved? We explain everything to you.
The symptoms of muscle pain
Although they most often affect the arms, legs, and back, myalgias can affect all other muscles in our body.
Muscle pain is often accompanied by other symptoms, including paresthesia.
You may also notice a hardening of the affected muscle, discomfort in your movements, and shooting pains may be felt.
The pain may sometimes be accompanied by swelling or a burning sensation.
The three common causes of muscle pain
Three main causes can lead to muscle pain:
· Physical exertion
This is the most common cause of muscle pain. When muscles are overworked, pain occurs, which is why athletes are most affected.
Thus, when muscles are traumatized during physical exertion, you may experience soreness resulting from muscle inflammation, and/or cramps.
Muscle spasms can also occur, which are more intense versions of soreness.
In more severe cases, intense physical effort can lead to a tear or even a muscle rupture.
· A wrong move
Our body has its weaknesses, and when we make sudden or too fast movements, it can lead to intense muscle pain. The most common cases of muscle pain caused by a wrong move are lumbago, neck stiffness, and intercostal pain.
· An illness
It’s well known that when you catch the flu, you experience severe muscle aches. This illness often causes muscle pain. Like the flu, COVID-19 can also cause muscle aches.
Other more serious diseases, such as polio, can cause muscle pain. Don’t hesitate to seek advice from your doctor.
When to consult a massage therapist?
Although often harmless, muscle pain should still be monitored. It is advisable to consult a doctor if the muscle pain is severe, lasts for a long time, and is accompanied by fever. These symptoms may indicate a more serious underlying issue that needs to be addressed promptly. The doctor will then give you the green light for a massage. Depending on the origin of the pain, a sports or therapeutic massage may be recommended, and often more than one session is required to resolve a persistent pain.
How to relieve and treat your muscle pain?
When myalgia occurs after sports activity and results in cramps or muscle soreness, there isn’t much to do. We recommend resting the affected muscle, massaging it, and stretching it regularly.
You can also try applying heat to the painful area.
When muscle pain is caused by a shock, you should apply ice and allow the muscle to rest. Taking painkillers and muscle relaxants is sometimes necessary to reduce the pain.
Pain relieved but to be monitored
Muscle pain is part of your daily life, especially if you regularly engage in physical activity, but it’s important to take the time to treat it in order to avoid chronic pain.
You should also monitor it to make sure it’s not caused by something else.
If you want your body to take you far, take care of it!
