Difference Between Bone Pain And Muscle Pain
What is the difference between bone pain and muscle pain? – Bone pain and muscle pain can both seem similar. Some injuries and health conditions cause musculoskeletal pain that affects your bones and muscles at the same time. Because you can’t see your bones or muscles, it’s hard to know what’s causing pain inside your body.
Sports injuries. Muscle strains (pulled muscles), Repetitive strain injuries, Overuse syndrome, Infections.
Both muscle pain and bone pain can hurt a lot. If you have bone pain, it’ll usually feel more intense or severe than muscle pain — like the pain is coming from deeper inside your body. Bone pain usually feels like it’s coming from a specific spot inside your body that you can point to (it’s more localized).
Contents
- 1 When should I be concerned about bone pain?
- 2 How do doctors tell if you have a muscle strain?
Is bone pain or muscle pain worse?
It can be difficult to differentiate between bone and muscle pain, because they affect similar parts of the body. The pain may also be similar in intensity. However, in general, bone pain feels sharper, deeper, and more debilitating than muscle pain. Bone pain may also last longer than muscle pain and require greater medical attention.
In contrast, muscle pain feels more “generalized,” and its exact location is difficult to pinpoint. People should visit a specialist if the pain is unbearable, or if it lasts longer than 48 hours. Doctors who specialize in the musculoskeletal system are called orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons, Keep reading to learn more about the various causes of bone and muscle pain.
The following are some potential causes of bone pain. Osteoporosis, like the name suggests, is a disease of “porous bones.” It is more common in older adults, resulting from a deficiency of calcium and vitamin D. Other causes include hyperthyroidism, menopause, and a family history of osteoporosis.
However, it is important to note that osteoporosis is not painful until it causes a collapsed vertebrae, or a fracture. Osteoporosis makes the bones thin, weak, and brittle. This increases the risk of bone injuries. The International Osteoporosis Foundation say that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 will experience a broken bone because of osteoporosis.
Most people do not show symptoms, making osteoporosis a “silent disease.” Watch out for early signs such as:
severe back painloss of heighta stooped or hunched posturea bone injury caused by minor falls or bruising
Osteoporosis is treatable if a doctor diagnoses it early. Treatment includes medicines that slow down bone loss and support bone growth. This may be accompanied by nutritional supplements, exercise, and a balanced diet. A bone injury can result in partial or complete breaking of the bone.
trauma that results from a road accident, a hard fall, or a sports injuryosteoporosisbone stress caused by muscle overuse (called a stress fracture)
Symptoms of a fracture include:
intense sharp pain at the site of injuryan inability to move the injured areabruisingdeformity (a limb that looks out of place or protrudes from the skin)
The doctor will do an X-ray to confirm if a bone is broken. Treatment for a fracture includes cast immobilization, where the injured site is wrapped with a plaster or fiberglass cast. This helps the bone heal, which could take several weeks. Some people may require invasive surgery to internally adjust the bone fragments.
osteosarcoma non-Hodgkin lymphoma multiple myeloma chondrosarcoma giant cell tumor of the bone
Bone cancer is rarely seen in adults. According to the American Cancer Society, osteosarcoma is more common in younger people between the ages of 10 and 30. Just over 10% of cases are seen in people in their 60s and 70s. Some people develop bone cancer due to hereditary conditions.
pain that feels like a dull, deep ache in a bone or bone region (arms, legs, back, ribs, or pelvis)swelling or inflammation, as if a mass or lump is presentsudden and unexplained weight lossfatigue, especially as the cancer begins to spread
Surgery is the usual treatment of choice for bone cancer, where the doctor removes the entire tumor. Other types of bone cancer may require a combination of treatments that include chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapy. Learn more about bone cancer here.
- Muscle pain is more common than bone pain, but its cause may not always be clear.
- Also called myalgia, muscle aches and pains can involve the joints, ligaments, tendons, and the soft tissues that connect these with bones and organs.
- Muscle injuries are common in athletes and people involved in high demand sports.
Research shows that muscle injuries make up 10–55% of all acute sports injuries. A muscle can be injured as a result of the impact from a fall, or from an external force such as a sports tackle, or road accident. Muscles can also get stretched — what most people call a muscle strain,
stinging pain at the site of injury, which may become duller with timesorenessinflammation or swellingrednessreduced movement of the affected area
A muscle injury is diagnosed by physical examination, and may require imaging tests such as an ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Treatment for muscle injuries involves heat or cold therapy to soothe the affected muscle, light stretches if the pain is tolerable, over-the-counter pain relievers, and rest.
Fibromyalgia is an increasingly common type of muscle pain that causes widespread intense pain across the body. It also affects a person’s sleeping habits, and is known to cause mental and emotional distress. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fibromyalgia affects over 4 million adults in the United States, which is about 2% of the adult population.
Most people are diagnosed during middle age. People with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are at higher risk of developing fibromyalgia. Other factors that increase a person’s risk are obesity, a family history of fibromyalgia, and certain viral infections.
body pain that lasts more than 3 monthsfrequent fatigue and tirednessanxietydepressionsleep problemsheadaches and migrainestingling feeling in the hands or feet
Fibromyalgia is treated with a combination of prescription medicines and pain relievers, muscle strengthening exercises, and stress management activities such as yoga, massages, and meditation. These are a group of diseases that cause long-term muscle inflammation, weakness, and pain.
So far, researchers have identified four myopathies: polymyositis, dermatomyositis, inclusion body myositis, and necrotizing autoimmune myopathy. Although their names may seem confusing, all the inflammatory myopathies are a kind of autoimmune disease, An autoimmune disease occurs when a person’s immune cells (that are supposed to fight infections) begin to attack the body’s own tissues, muscle fibers, and blood vessels.
This leads to symptoms such as:
muscle weaknessfatigue or tiredness after standing or walkingmuscles that feel tender to touchmuscle pain
There is currently no known cure for inflammatory myopathies, but some treatments may help to reduce symptoms. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke recommend physical therapy, exercise, medication, heat therapy, and rest, to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.
Learn more about myalgia, or muscle aches, here. It is best to consult a doctor if the pain lasts longer than 48 hours, or if it interferes with daily life. Contact a doctor immediately if the pain is unbearable, if a limb looks odd or out of place, or if fever accompanies the pain. Several short-term and chronic conditions can cause muscle pain and bone pain.
Many of these conditions can be treated with simple over-the-counter medicines, heat therapy, and rest. However, some may require urgent medical attention. It is important to closely observe symptoms over a 24–48-hour period. If the pain persists, contact a doctor.
What can be mistaken for bone pain?
When should I be concerned? – We recommend that you visit your GP if you experience pain in your bones or joints that is severe, won’t go away or is worsening over time. In adults, bone or joint pain is commonly mistaken for arthritis, and in children or teenagers it can easily be misdiagnosed as growing pains.
When should I be concerned about bone pain?
Surgery – You may need surgery to remove parts of bone that have died due to infection. Surgery may also be required to re-set broken bones and remove tumors caused by cancer. Reconstructive surgery may be used in severe cases where joints can be replaced or substituted. Maintaining strong, healthy bones makes it easier to avoid bone pain. To maintain optimal bone health, remember to:
maintain a healthy exercise plan get enough calcium and vitamin Ddrink only in moderationavoid smoking
Read more: 8 fast facts about calcium » Aside from improving bone health, you can also avoid injuries that lead to bone pain. Try to prevent falls by keeping your floors clutter-free and watching for loose rugs or poor lighting. You should also be careful when going up or down the stairs.
- For sporting activities, especially contact sports like football or boxing, wear proper protective gear.
- In many cases, it takes some time to heal the issue causing the bone pain, whether the pain comes from chemotherapy or a fracture.
- During recovery, avoid aggravating or bumping the affected areas.
- This can prevent further injury and pain and allow healing.
Rest the affected areas as much as possible and immobilize the area if there’s a risk of further injury. For some people, aids such as braces, splints, and casts can offer support that can both protect the bone and relieve pain. Serious conditions are often the cause of bone pain.
Even mild bone pain may indicate an emergency condition. If you experience unexplained bone pain that doesn’t improve within a few days, consult your doctor. You should also see a doctor if the bone pain is accompanied by weight loss, decreased appetite, or general fatigue. If you don’t already have a primary care doctor, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool,
Bone pain that results from injury should also prompt a doctor’s visit. Medical treatment is required for fractures from direct trauma to the bone. Without proper treatment, bones can heal in incorrect positions and inhibit movement. Trauma also predisposes you to infection.
How do you tell if it’s muscle or bone?
What is the difference between bone pain and muscle pain? – Bone pain and muscle pain can both seem similar. Some injuries and health conditions cause musculoskeletal pain that affects your bones and muscles at the same time. Because you can’t see your bones or muscles, it’s hard to know what’s causing pain inside your body.
Sports injuries. Muscle strains (pulled muscles), Repetitive strain injuries, Overuse syndrome, Infections.
Both muscle pain and bone pain can hurt a lot. If you have bone pain, it’ll usually feel more intense or severe than muscle pain — like the pain is coming from deeper inside your body. Bone pain usually feels like it’s coming from a specific spot inside your body that you can point to (it’s more localized).
When I press my bone it hurts?
Bone pain is often described as a deep or penetrating pain. It often is worse at night and when you move the affected limb. Bone pain, tenderness, or achiness is a common problem, particularly among those who are middle-aged or older. As you age, your body undergoes many changes.
Muscle size and bone density generally decrease as you become less active. This makes you more prone to overuse injury and bone fractures. While bone pain is most likely due to decreased bone density or an injury to your bone, it can also be a sign of a serious underlying medical condition. Bone pain or tenderness could be the result of infection, an interruption in the blood supply, or cancer.
These conditions require immediate medical attention. If you have unexplained bone pain, do not ignore it. Make an appointment with your doctor to find out why.
What are red flags of bone pain?
Red Flags – Knee Pain It is important to differentiate joint pain from bone pain. Bone pain is a ” ” and is a common feature of leukaemia, metastatic neuroblastoma and primary bone tumours. This may be night pain or constant ‘nagging’ pain. These malignancies may present with a swollen joint(s) and can mimic arthritis.
Osteoid osteomas (the most common benign bone tumour) are usually located in the femoral neck (so can cause referred pain to the knee) and typically cause night pain that can be relieved by NSAIDs. Primary malignant bone tumours – are more common at the distal femur or proximal tibia, so often present with knee pain, sometimes with effusion.
Radiographs of the knee should include the femur and the tibia.
Persistent swelling and pain in the absence of trauma warrants investigation as this may indicate arthritis. Referral is needed urgently if there are red flags and should not wait for results of investigations. The radiograph below shows periosteal elevation and soft tissue calcification in a malignant tumour of the proximal tibia (arrow).
The radiograph below shows a benign non-ossifying fibroma in the distal left femur (arrow) and highlights the importance of radiograph requests including femur and tibia for knee pain. The MRI below shows the same non-ossifying fibroma in the distal left femur (arrow) : Red Flags – Knee Pain
How do I know if I hurt my bone?
Broken bones can happen after an accident like a fall, or by being hit by an object. The 3 most common signs of a broken bone (also known as a fracture) are:
painswellingdeformity
However, it can sometimes be difficult to tell whether a bone is broken if it is not out of its normal position. If you’ve broken a bone:
you may hear or feel a snap or a grinding noise as the injury happensthere may be swelling, bruising or tenderness around the injured areayou may feel pain when you put weight on the injury, touch it, press it, or move itthe injured part may look deformed – in severe breaks, the broken bone may be poking through the skin
You may also feel faint, dizzy or sick as a result of the shock of breaking a bone. If the break is small or it’s just a crack, you may not feel much pain or even realise that you’ve broken a bone. Get medical help as soon as possible if you think you’ve broken a bone.
- If you think you may have broken your toe or finger, you can go to a minor injury unit or urgent care centre,
- Go to your nearest A&E for a broken arm or leg.
- Call 999 for an ambulance if the injury to the leg seems severe or you’re not able to get to A&E quickly.
- Always call 999 for very severe suspected breaks, such as a broken neck or back.
The broken bone must be properly aligned and held in place, often with a plaster cast, so it heals in the correct position. If you do not receive the correct treatment, you could develop a serious infection or a permanent deformity. You may also have long-term problems with your joints.
Is leukemia bone pain constant?
The nature of the discomfort can vary; some patients report sharp pain while others liken it to a dull, continuous ache. What bones hurt with leukemia? Bone pain symptoms tend to develop in areas of the body with bones that contain a large amount of bone marrow, such as the: Breastbone (sternum)
Will bone pain go away on its own?
Bone pain and joint/ muscle pain affect similar parts of your body. This can make it hard to tell the difference between them. You might feel muscle pain or aches after a hard workout or when you have the flu, Or you might feel achiness in joints like your ankles, knees, or elbows from arthritis or just getting older.
Bone pain usually feels deeper, sharper, and more intense than muscle pain. Muscle pain also feels more generalized throughout the body and tends to ease within a day or two, while bone pain is more focused and lasts longer. Bone pain is also less common than joint or muscle pain, and should always be taken seriously.
Injury. If you have new, sharp bone pain, you may have a fracture, or broken bone. That can be the result of a sudden traumatic injury, like a car accident, fall, or sports injury, You could also have a small crack in your bone called a stress fracture.
- Athletes often get these from overusing their bodies.
- Osteoporosis.
- Osteoporosis is a bone disease that makes your bones less dense and takes away bone mass.
- Typically this happens in older adults.
- The decrease in bone strength can lead to painful fractures, which can happen anywhere in the body but are most common in the hip, the spine, and the wrist.
Cancer, Bone pain can be a symptom of cancer that has spread from another part of the body into your bones. It can also be a sign of cancer that started in a bone, such as osteosarcoma, This cancer develops most often in the long bones of the arms and the legs.
The pain often gets worse at night and can sometimes get better with movement. Sickle cell disease, When you have this inherited blood disorder, you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen through your body. The lack of oxygen can cause damage to your bone and severe bone pain. Infection.
Infection in the bone is called osteomyelitis, It can happen when an infection that started somewhere else in the body spreads to the bone. It can also start in the bone itself, often because of an injury. Osteomyelitis can affect people at any age but is more common in children.
You’re also at higher risk if you have sickle cell disease. Pregnancy, Pelvic bone pain is a common symptom in pregnancy. You may hear your doctor call it pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP). To decide on an effective treatment for bone pain, your doctor will need to figure out what is causing it.
Some types of bone pain will ultimately go away after treatment, while other types may be chronic and have to be managed for a long time. Injuries such as fractures may have to be set with a cast or splint. Stress fractures are typically treated with rest, ice, and elevation.
Your doctor can treat osteoporosis-related bone pain with a combination of bone-building medications and pain medications as well as lifestyle changes and fall prevention to help prevent fractures. You may get temporary relief from bone pain by using over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen,
Osteomyelitis typically requires treatment with either oral or intravenous antibiotics, Treatment for cancer-related pain can be very complex. Your doctor will choose an option based on the stage of your disease and where the cancer originated. Bone pain related to sickle cell disease can be treated with a variety of medications depending on how severe it is.
- PPGP doesn’t usually go away until after the baby is delivered, but can be helped with physical therapy and exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor.
- No matter what you think the cause may be, it is important to see a doctor if you have any type of significant bone pain.
- Maintaining strong, healthy bones is the best way to prevent at least some types of bone pain, such as those related to osteoporosis.
To do that, you should:
Maintain a healthy weight,Include lots of calcium in your diet, Exercise regularly, and be sure to include weight -bearing exercise.Avoid smoking,Drink only in moderation.
Why is bone pain worse at night?
Why does it get worse at night? – There are a few reasons for this, which are all closely inter-related. But for sake of technicality, we will separate them here:
Drop in Cortisol levels: Inflammation caused by any of the above conditions cause healing to occur, whereby healthy cells are brought to the fore to work on damaged cells. This is what happens during the day. During the night, there is a drop in the stress hormone cortisol which has an anti-inflammatory response. There is less inflammation, less healing, so the damage to bone due to the above conditions accelerates in the night, with pain as the side-effect. Swelling due to inactivity : Synovial fluid is a liquid present in all bone joints of the body that helps in lubricating movement of the joints. It also helps reduce swelling and pain when its flowing around. This is why, during day time, the person’s activity keeps the fluid flowing reducing bone pain due to the above-listed conditions. But at night, since there is no activity, movement of this fluid is limited, so symptoms like pain and swelling only increase. Pain perception : Pain is both physical and psychological. During the day, the various activities and hustle-bustle of life, the presence of friends, family and co-workers around distracts the person away from pain, so the pain perception is lesser. At night, in sleep, there are no such distractions, so the awareness or perception of pain heightens. Vicious cycle of sleep deprivation : Bone pain at night, is such a common occurrence that there is even a name for it – Painsomnia, or insomnia caused by pain. The pain keeps the person awake, or disturbs the sleep. The disturbed or incomplete sleep at night causes tiredness and sleepiness during the day. It robs the person of motivation to exercise actively which helps relieve symptoms of the above conditions. The lack of exercise worsens symptoms of those conditions, which in turn increases the pain at night, creating a vicious cycle of insomnia and pain. Depression : Both pain and insomnia can induce depression in some people or worsen the symptoms for those already suffering from depression. Frequent bouts of depression bring down the levels of positive hormones such as serotonin, dopamine and endorphins in the body which are so important for healing, in any disease or condition. The delayed or diminished healing sustains the pain at night creating a vicious cycle of depression and physical pain.
Incidentally, the person may experience all of the above simultaneously, which sustains and heightens the bone pain at night.
How long do bone aches last?
Does a Broken Bone Hurt When Healing? | EXOGEN Ultrasound Bone Healing System Pain is your body’s natural response when you break one of your bones. Immediately after you suffer the injury, an intense ache or sharp pain is typically produced by both the fracture and by other injuries to your body near the fracture site.
Unfortunately, the pain doesn’t stop there. You may also experience pain during the fracture healing process. The stages of pain during the healing process of a fracture In general, there are three stages of pain following a bone fracture. These are referred to as acute pain, subacute pain and chronic pain.
Acute pain usually occurs immediately after you suffer the injury. After about a week or two, the worst pain is usually over. What happens next is that the fractured bone and the surrounding soft tissue begin to heal. This takes a couple of weeks and the pain you might experience during this stage is called subacute pain.
The last stage of pain is chronic pain. This type of pain continues long after the fracture and soft tissues may have healed. All fractures cause either all or some of these types of pain. Acute pain immediately after the injury Immediately after you suffer a fracture, you will experience acute pain. During this stage, medication is often prescribed to reduce the worst pain.
The acute pain will decrease with time. After you’ve broken a bone, you may need surgery so the doctor can realign your broken bone, you may need a cast or other device to keep the broken bone immobile, or you may require some other medical treatment.
No matter which method is used to treat your broken bone, the key is to realign the bone ends and immobilize the fracture for several weeks so the bone can set and heal properly. In order to make this stage of the healing process as smooth as possible, it is very important that you follow the instructions of your treating physician, especially about resting and avoiding unnecessary movements so your broken bone can heal properly.
Subacute pain while the bone is healing After about a week or two, the worst pain will be over. What happens next is that the fractured bone and the soft tissue around it start to heal. This takes a couple weeks and is called subacute pain. Subacute pain is mainly caused by the lack of movement that was necessary to help the bone heal.
- The inactivity may have stiffened the soft tissue around the injury and weakened the muscles.
- In addition to this, scarring and inflammation may have developed in the soft tissue while the fracture was healing.
- This may cause pain as well, and may make it difficult to move.
- Physical therapy is often recommended at this stage of recovery.
Physical therapists may help you reduce the stiffness by providing exercises that also strengthen the weakened muscles and improve your range of motion. This will help to reduce pain and improve the function of your body that was affected by the injury.
- Chronic pain after the healing is complete When you suffer a fracture, it will eventually heal and recover to the point that you no longer experience pain.
- Unfortunately, this does not happen for everyone.
- Some people may continue to experience pain long after the fracture and soft tissues have finished healing.
This is what we call chronic pain. Chronic pain may be caused by nerve damage, the development of scar tissue, aggravation of underlying arthritis, or other causes. Luckily, this type of pain often can be treated. The type of treatment depends on the initial injury and the cause of your chronic pain.
Physical therapy Exercise Medication
These treatments are not guaranteed to resolve your pain, but they may help control and reduce the chronic pain. Most people are able to control their chronic pain, so they can get on with their day-to-day activities and enjoy a better quality of life.
However, for a small fraction of people who experience persistent, chronic pain, the pain may be one symptom that the broken bone is not healing properly. Other symptoms may include bone tenderness, swelling, and an aching pain felt deep within the bone. Most broken bones will heal if they have been properly aligned and immobilized.
However, in order to heal, broken bones need an adequate supply of blood flowing to the site. Any condition that may impair blood flow to the fracture site may delay the bone healing or keep the bone from healing. One proven way to accelerate the bone healing process is with daily ultrasound stimulation of the broken bone tissue.
Does a tumor feel like muscle pain?
By Howard Rosenthal, MD – Joint pain, muscle soreness and sprains are a way of life for high school athletes. Most of the time the injury is minor, and the pain and swelling swiftly subside. In some instances, when pain and swelling persist, there may be something more serious at play.
- Tumors of the musculoskeletal system, both benign and malignant (known as sarcomas), frequently occur in the first 2 decades of life.
- Symptoms typically involve pain in or around the joints and muscle aches.
- Most tumors that arise in the bones of young athletes are not cancerous.
- Even so, they can pose significant joint problems including fractures, pain, swelling and stiffness.
Often, sarcomas are insidious, mildly painful areas with no perceptible mass. Athletes might attribute the pain to exercise or training related to a sport or competition. When pain and swelling are persistent, and unusual for the type of injury suffered, athletes should see a physician.
Should you ignore muscle pain?
When to see a doctor for post-exercise pain – According to Dr. Nguyen, while there are instances when you can anticipate pain as a result of exercise, make sure that you pay attention to it’s duration, or if it changes from dull to sharp, aching to throbbing, or similar.
- If it lasts longer than a couple days after workout, see your doctor.
- You should always be cautious about pain, especially if it is severe or persists afterwards because serious injuries could be a culprit, Dr.
- Nguyen advises.
- These include a stress fracture or tear, or they can be signs of other health issues.
If it’s something more serious, medical attention will be needed. “If you aren’t sure, always err on contacting your doctor,” she says.
How do you know if pain is muscular or organ?
Summary – Somatic pain and visceral pain come from different areas of the body. Somatic pain is in the muscles, bones, or soft tissues. Visceral pain comes from your internal organs and blood vessels. Somatic pain is intense and may be easier to pinpoint than visceral pain.
That’s because your muscles, bones, and skin are supplied with a lot of nerves to detect pain. Pain may be superficial, which means it’s just on the skin, or deep, involving bone and muscles. Your internal organs don’t have as many pain-detecting nerves, so visceral pain tends to be vague or have a squeezing or aching feeling.
Both somatic and visceral pain can be treated with NSAIDs or, in severe cases, opioids. Muscle relaxants may also help with deep somatic pain.
How do doctors tell if you have a muscle strain?
Diagnosis – During the physical exam, your doctor will check for swelling and points of tenderness. The location and intensity of your pain can help determine the extent and nature of the damage. In more severe injuries, where the muscle or tendon has been completely ruptured, your doctor may be able to see or feel a defect in the area of injury.
How long should a muscle strain take to heal?
Elevation – Whenever possible, keep the injured muscle raised above the level of your heart. Other self-care methods include the following:
Use an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen (Advil). This will help keep pain and swelling down. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can also help with pain. After three days, apply heat to the muscle several times a day. This will help bring blood circulation to the area for healing. Don’t rest your muscle for too long. This can cause stiffness and weakness. Begin light stretching as soon as possible. Slowly increase your level of activity. Make sure to stretch and warm up before exercising when you return to normal activity. This will help increase blood flow to your muscles and decrease your risk of injury. Make an effort to stay in shape. You’re less likely to develop a strain if your muscles are strong and healthy.
If your muscle strain is severe, you may need medical attention. Physical therapy may also be recommended. For mild to moderate strains, home treatment should be enough. Seek medical attention if any of the following happens:
The pain doesn’t subside after a week.The injured area is numb.There’s blood coming from your injury.You can’t walk.You can’t move your arms or legs.
A physical examination and imaging tests, such as X-rays and MRI scans, can help your doctor determine the extent of your injury. Treatment may include anti-inflammatory medications and pain relievers to reduce pain and swelling. Your doctor may also prescribe physical therapy to help strengthen the muscle and restore movement.
Try not to sit in one position for too long. Take frequent breaks to move and change position. Use a chair that provides good support for your lower back, or use a pillow for support. Try to keep your knees level with your hips. Maintain good posture when standing and sitting, If you spend a long time in one position, try to alternate putting one foot and then the other on a low footstool. This can help decrease stress on your back muscles. Lift objects carefully. Keep your back straight, bend at the knees, and always lift with your legs. Hold the weight close to your body. Don’t lift and twist at the same time. Take precautions to prevent falls, such as holding handrails on stairways, avoiding slippery surfaces, and keeping your floors uncluttered. Lose weight if you’re overweight. Wear shoes that fit properly.
Regular exercise can keep your muscles healthy and strong, but proper techniques are also crucial in preventing muscle strains. Always stretch and warm up before engaging in physical activity. Similarly, take the time to stretch after each workout or session of physical activity to prevent muscle stiffness.
- If you’re new to exercising, start slowly.
- Build up your activity a little at a time.
- It’s vital that you understand your body’s limitations.
- If something doesn’t feel right during an activity, stop immediately.
- Recovery time depends on the severity of the injury.
- For a mild strain, you may be able to return to normal activities within three to six weeks with basic home care.
For more severe strains, recovery can take several months. In severe cases, surgical repair and physical therapy may be necessary. With proper treatment, most people recover completely. You can improve your chances of recovery by taking steps to avoid getting the same injury again.
Does ibuprofen help heal muscle strains?
No, in most cases anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen or naproxen) don’t help healing. In fact, in some cases it may even delay healing.
What does muscular pain feel like?
What is muscle pain? – Muscle pain, or myalgia, is a sign of an injury, infection, disease or other health problem. You may feel a deep, steady ache or random sharp pains. Some people have muscle pain all over, while others have it in specific areas. Everyone experiences muscle pain differently.
Is my pain muscular or nerve?
Nerve Pain vs. Muscle Pain – When attempting to diagnose your pain, your doctor will ask when and how your pain began. They’ll also ask you to describe the type of pain you’re experiencing. If the pain started after an injury and it’s a dull ache, it’s likely muscle pain.
- If your pain seemed to come out of nowhere or it’s been ongoing, and it feels like your skin is on fire, you’re likely experiencing nerve pain.
- If you’re experiencing any kind of pain, you’ll definitely want to contact your doctor.
- They can help you diagnose the type of pain you’re experiencing and work with you to create a treatment plan.
They may prescribe some kind of pain medication or help you design an exercise plan to treat your pain. They may also refer you to a specialist or physical therapist. Medically Reviewed on 1/21/2022 References Health Direct: “Nerve pain (neuralgia).” Loma Linda University Health: “Nerve Pain vs.