Acute Muscle Pain
What is Acute Muscle Pain?
Acute muscle pain, also known as myalgia, is a common and often acute condition caused by sudden and involuntary muscle contractions or spasms, and generally caused by intense physical activity, injury, or trauma. Conditions like back strain, tendonitis, bursitis, and fibromyalgia can also cause acute muscle pain.
Causes of Acute Muscle Pain
There are many different causes of acute muscle pain, but the most common are:
- Trauma or injury
- Intense physical activity
- Overuse
- Infection
- Illness
- Dehydration
- Inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, lupus, and gout
Symptoms of Acute Muscle Pain
The most common symptom of acute muscle pain is a tender, burning, or aching feeling in one or more muscles. Other symptoms may include:
- Stiffness
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Decreased range of motion
- Pain that increases with movement
Diagnosing Acute Muscle Pain
In order to diagnose acute muscle pain, your doctor will take a thorough medical history and perform a physical examination, including observing the affected area and asking questions about your pain. Your doctor may also order additional tests, such as X-rays or an MRI, to rule out other conditions or determine the cause of your pain.
Treating Acute Muscle Pain
Treatment for acute muscle pain will depend on the cause of the pain. Generally, treatment involves rest, ice, heat, and over-the-counter pain relievers. If the pain is due to an underlying medical condition, such as arthritis, your doctor may recommend other treatments, such as physical therapy, exercise, or medication.