Muscle pain, also known as myalgia, is a very common condition that can occur to anyone, any time. This kind of pain can occur in any part of the body as muscle tissues are practically in the entire body. Stress, tension or strenuous physical activity is among the common causes of myalgia. There are a number of other conditions or injuries that can stress the muscles and cause pain. Though we generally ignore minor pain in the muscles, unattended pain can cause complications and can cause tears or shears in the muscles and impair functioning of the body even further.
Causes of Muscle Pain
Stressed muscles in one or more parts of the body
Overusing muscles during a physical activity
A physically demanding job or exercise that may injure a muscle or group of muscles
Fibromyalgia
Infectious diseases like influenza, polio, or bacterial infections
Autoimmune disorders including lupus, dermatomyositis, and polymyositis
Some medications or drugs, including as statins, ACE inhibitors, or cocaine may also trigger myalgia.
Thyroid problems, like hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
Hypokalemia or potassium deficiency
Precautions One Should Take Against Muscle Pain
There are a number of precautions one can take on a regular basis to reduce pain in the muscles.
One should take proper rest while suffering from muscle pain. Resting the muscles prevents exertion and aids the body in treating the pain
Eating calcium and protein rich foods helps the muscle re-grow and strengthen themselves, thus reducing the chances of muscle pain
Keeping the body in proper posture to prevent sprains and also maintaining proper gait
Treatment of Muscle Pain At Home
Treating muscle pain is not a complex method but requires a general examination of the kind of pain that affects the muscles, and region of the body that is experiencing pain.
Topical Analgesics – Topical analgesics such as lotions, creams, and ointments can penetrate into the skin easily and help relive muscle ache in an instant.
Electrotherapy – Electrotherapy aids in bone growth and increasing the strength of the muscles. It also enables the muscles to bear pain, stress, and strain.
Cryotherapy - Cryotherapy or cold therapy uses the absence of heat to help in treating muscles. It helps alleviate pain and reduce inflammation and also increases the circulation of blood to the muscles.
Aromatherapy - Aromatherapy in the form of essential oils can be used to treat muscle aches and pains. Organic oils contain a number of essential ingredients that can be absorbed easily into the muscles and can swiftly alleviate pain.
Compression Therapy – Compression therapy is proven to increase blood circulation and help in reducing pain. The gentle compression provided by compression bandages, wraps, and systems, can allow for greater reduction of pain and inflammation.
Exercise and Yoga – Exercise therapy can be a great way to train one’s muscle and increase their tensile strength and density. They help in preventing injuries to the muscles. Yoga also helps in relaxing the muscles.
