CAUSES

Often, people who experience muscle aches can easily pinpoint the cause. This is because most instances of myalgia result from too much stress, tension, or physical activity. Some common causes include:

• muscle tension in one or more areas of the body
• overusing the muscle during physical activity
• injuring the muscle while engaging in physically demanding work or exercise
• skipping warmups and cool downs

Many things can cause muscle pain, including:

• Autoimmune diseases.
• Infections
• Injuries
• Medications
• Neuromuscular disorders.

Not all muscle aches are related to stress, tension, and physical activity. Some medical explanations for myalgia include:

• fibromyalgia, especially if aches and pains last longer than 3 months
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• myofascial pain syndrome, which causes inflammation in muscular connective tissues called fascia
• infections, such as the flu, polio, or bacterial infections
• autoimmune disorders such as lupus, dermatomyositis, and polymyositis
• use of certain medications or drugs, such as statins, ACE inhibitors, or cocaine
• thyroid problems, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
• hypokalemia (low potassium)

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms for muscle pain include:

• Weakness
• Swelling
• Muscle tenderness
• Stiffness
• Pain and discomfort
• Trouble functioning or moving
• Contractures(permanent tensing of the muscle due to severe, lasting stiffness)
• Night sweats

RISK FACTORS

Anyone can develop muscle pain, even children and teens. These factors might put you at greater risk of developing muscle pain:

• Age. muscle pain is more common as you get older, starting around age 30 or 40.
• Lack of exercise. Weak, unused muscles in your back and abdomen might lead to muscle pain.
• Excess weight. Excess body weight puts extra stress on your back
• Diseases. Some types of arthritis and cancer can contribute to muscle pain.
• Improper lifting.
• Psychological conditions. People prone to depression and anxiety appear to have a greater risk of muscle pain.
• Smoking. Smokers have increased rates of muscle pain. This may occur because smoking prompts more coughing, which can lead to herniated disks. Smoking can also decrease blood flow to the spine and increase the risk of osteoporosis.

PREVENTION

You might avoid muscle pain or prevent its recurrence by improving your physical condition and learning and practicing proper body mechanics.

To keep your back healthy and strong:

• Exercise. Regular low-impact aerobic activities — those that don't strain or jolt your back — can increase strength and endurance in your back and allow your muscles to function better. Walking and swimming are good choices. -
• Build muscle strength and flexibility. Abdominal and back muscle exercises, which strengthen your core, help condition these muscles so that they work together like a natural corset for your back.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight strains back muscles. If you're overweight, trimming down can prevent muscle pain.
• Quit smoking. Smoking increases your risk of muscle pain, so quitting should help reduce this risk.

Avoid movements that twist or strain your back. Use your body properly:

• Stand smart. Don't slouch. Maintain a neutral pelvic position. If you must stand for long periods, place one foot on a low footstool to take some of the load off your lower back. Alternate feet. Good posture can reduce the stress on back muscles.
• Sit smart. Choose a seat with good lower back support, armrests and a swivel base. Placing a pillow or rolled towel in the small of your back can maintain its normal curve. Keep your knees and hips level. Change your position frequently, at least every half-hour.
• Lift smart. Avoid heavy lifting, if possible, but if you must lift something heavy, let your legs do the work. Keep your back straight — no twisting — and bend only at the knees. Hold the load close to your body. Find a lifting partner if the object is heavy or awkward.

DIAGNOSIS

If you don’t know what’s causing muscle pain, or the pain is severe or chronic, your healthcare provider may order tests, such as:

• Blood tests to check enzyme, hormone and electrolyte levels and test for infections.
• MRI or CT scan to look for muscle injury or damage.
• Electromyography to measure electrical activity in nerves and muscles.
• Muscle biopsy

TREATMENT

Once you have received a diagnosis for your muscle pain, your doctor would create a treatment plan that addresses both your pain and thus the underlying problem.

• Self-Care Strategies: When muscle pain is said to overuse, strain, or contusion, it's going to be treated with the R.I.C.E. protocol:
• Rest: Rest the injured muscle, the maximum amount as possible to permit the acute inflammation to subside
• Ice: Apply a cold compress to the painful muscle for 15-minute sessions, every 4 to 6 hours approximately specially after exercise or muscle use
• Compression: Wrap the sore muscle with an elastic wrap or bandage for support
• Elevation: Raise the affected muscle and keep it elevated if possible
• Medications: Besides soothing your muscle pain, your doctor might prescribe various medications to treat the underlying problem:
• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDs): NSAIDs, like Aleve (naproxen) or Motrin (ibuprofen), are recommended within the treatment of some muscle pain conditions, like muscle strains, injury and myofascial pain syndrome
• Muscle Relaxants: Muscle relaxants like Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) and Zanaflex (tizanidine) could also be used to ease the pain of an acute muscle injury
• Antidepressants: Tricyclic antidepressants, like Elavil (amitriptyline), are sometimes prescribed for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Likewise, other antidepressants, including the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor Cymbalta duloxetine), may be used to treat myofascial pain syndrome or fibromyalgia, especially if a person cannot tolerate or does not get any benefit from a tricyclic antidepressant.
• Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids (also called steroids) are used to treat many inflammatory conditions, such as polymyalgia rheumatica and the inflammatory myopathies. Keep in mind, steroids (e.g. prednisone) have serious side effects when taken for prolonged periods of time
• Steroid-Sparing Agents: For inflammatory medical conditions, your doctor may have you ever take a steroid-sparing drug (e.g. methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis) early during your treatment course to reduce the use of prednisone and help manage the disease long term
• Vitamin D: Treatment of osteomalacia requires reversal of the underlying problem, for example, reversal of vitamin D deficiency with prescription vitamin D supplementation
• Antibiotic/Anti-Viral/Anti-Fungal/Anti-Parasite: If you're diagnosed with pyomyositis, drainage of the infected muscle, antibiotics are necessary. Likewise, systemic myalgias caused by an infection requires treatment of the underlying agent, whether it is a bacterium, fungi, virus or parasite
• Fluids and Dialysis: Hydration and electrolyte repletion with intravenous (through the vein) fluids are vital for the treatment of rhabdomyolysis. In severe cases, if function of the kidney is compromised, temporary dialysis might also be needed
• Alternative Therapies: Complementary and alternative therapies are commonly used to ease the symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Some of these therapies include: Acupuncture,Tai chi, Massage and meditation. Lastly, another alternative therapy called trigger-point injection is usually used to treat myofascial pain syndrome
• Physical Therapy: Massage and a special kind of therapy called spray-and-stretch is commonly used to treat myofascial pain syndrome. Physical therapy, especially a plan that is tailored to a person's unique physical limits, may be advised for a person with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome
• Surgical treatments: Surgery isn't commonly needed to treat muscle pain, apart from certain serious diagnoses. For instance, pyomyositis may require a surgical drainage of the abscess and acute compartment syndrome would require a fasciotomy which is a procedure where the skin and fascia covering the compartment are cut open in order to alleviate pressure

EFFECTIVENESS OF ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture is often a successful go-to therapy for muscle pain. It can be used to treat various other conditions including ligament and nerve pain. Research shows that it has positively been helpful for several people. Acupuncture is suggested to be better for muscle pain than certain medications. It is an ancient Chinese physiotherapy that has become a well-liked and well-researched method for managing this pain. Other effects of acupuncture includes,

• During Pregnancy: In a study of pregnant women with pelvic,back and muscle pain, acupuncture was found to be more effective than other conventional treatments in reducing pain intensity. When done properly by a trained professional, acupuncture during pregnancy is taken into account safe and has few risks
• Stimulates nervous system: Trigger points stimulated by acupuncture could release chemicals from the medulla spinalis , muscles, and brain. Some of these could be naturally pain-relieving
• Chemical release: Releases opioid-like chemicals produced in the body. Along an equivalent lines because the theory above, acupuncture may release pain-relieving chemicals. These naturally occur within the body and have similar properties to opioid pain relievers (Hydrocodone or morphine are examples)
• Releases neurotransmitters: These are hormones that send messages regulating the on/off mechanisms of varied nerve endings. Acupuncture may stimulate some that shut off pain
• Triggers electromagnetic impulses in the body. These impulses can help speed the body’s way of handling pain, including the discharge of endorphins.

Regardless of how it works, trials on acupuncture for treating muscle pain show great results with little or no risk of side effects. Reviews and studies have expressed promise that acupuncture could be better than most pain medications.

MECHANISM OF ACUPUNCTURE

• Acupunctureis a traditional therapy that supports the thought of energetics within the body
• Treatment consists of inserting needles at various pressure points on the body and through the skin. Needles aren't meant to cause pain, harm or discomfort
• A professional acupuncturist would target energy (or “qi” in Chinese medicine) points for treatment. These also are termed as meridians, with some being of special benefit to painful ligaments, nerves and muscles in the body
• There are a couple of qi meridians that an acupuncturist may specialise in for muscle pain
• By stimulating these points, parts of the systema nervosum also are stimulated to alleviate pain. Acupuncture also can provide pain relief from other similar neuromuscular issues that there might not be too many pain remedy options.

BEST CURE FOR MUSCLE PAIN

Looking for a best solution to treat muscle pain, here’s why you should reach out to the expert Acupuncturist. A. Shaji Bharath from Dr.Bharath’s Acu Heal. He is currently treating patients for a wide range of conditions. As a certified acupuncture practitioner with 15 years of experience, Acupuncturist. A. Shaji Bharath has seen Acupuncture doing wonders on people suffering from muscle pain. The effectiveness rate increases several times just with one course of acupuncture and it can help alleviate the symptoms, reduce pain and address various conditions such as disorders, injuries, prevention, treatment, and repair of the skeletal system and its related joints, ligaments and muscles helping patients get back to their normal routine at the earliest, by evaluating your condition and offering appropriate treatment. Most of the people swear by acupuncture, citing it as a ‘miracle’ in improving their quality of life, that focuses on injuries and conditions of your body's musculoskeletal system, which allows you to move, work, and be active.Dial: +91 9884746916 or Visit: drbharathsacuheal.com for more details on treating muscle pain using Acupuncture.

BEST ACUPUNCTURE DOCTOR NEAR ME

To choose the Best doctor for Acupuncture, it's important that the Acupuncturist should have a decade of experience and treated at least 1000 to 2000 patients.

You can also search for the Best Acupuncture Doctor near me or ask your primary care physician to refer an experienced Acupuncturist nearby. Once you find the Best Acupuncture Doctor in Chennai, you may go through their google reviews first and then fix an appointment with the doctor only when you are satisfied with the reviews.

The Best Acupuncture Doctor should address your concerns and help you feel more comfortable before your first session. Acupuncture usually takes numerous sessions or several weeks to get a complete cure in any ailment but within 3 or 4 sessions the patients will experience positive differences.

BEST ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC NEAR ME

There are numerous clinics popping up and it is sometimes skeptical to choose the best or even the safe one. To address such concerns, you can look into the following points to choose the best acupuncture clinic for treating muscle pain. Acupuncture is also offered in hospital, pain clinics and by healthcare organizations but it is ideal to visit the best Acupuncture Clinic. If you are not sure, it would be a good idea to contact your local doctor to see if they would be prepared to refer to the best rated acupuncture clinics.Acupuncture is offered in top rated acupuncture clinics near me because conventional treatment has failed or produces unacceptable side effects. Most of the best acupuncture clinics will spell out very clearly what type of acupuncture they practice and how professional they are - at present anyone can set themselves up as an acupuncturist but reputable practitioners will belong to an organization. So while you are filtering the best clinics for acupuncture that treats muscle pain, you can look out for these factors.Treatment without drug for muscle pain is possible through acupuncture and it gives the best result.

We have been rewarded a 5-star rating from Google & Practo. You can also check the reviews there.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Almost everyone has muscle aches and pains now and then. For temporary muscle pain, rest, stretching and pain medicines can help. Chronic or severe muscle pain makes it difficult to do the things you love. If you have a condition that causes chronic muscle pain, Dial +91 9884746916 or Visit: drbharathsacuheal.com to get the best treatment for muscle pain.

SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES

• D. Wong Lit Wan, Y. Wang, C. C. L. Xue, L. P. Wang, F. R. Liang, and Z. Zheng, “Local and distant acupuncture points stimulation for chronic musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review on the comparative effects,” European Journal of Pain, vol. 19, no. 9, pp. 1232–1247, 2015.
• Simons DG. Review of enigmatic MTrPs as a common cause of enigmatic musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2004;14:95–107.
• Lund JP, Donga R, Widmer CG. The pain-adaptation model: a discussion of the relationship between chronic musculoskeletal pain and motor activity. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 1991;69:683–694.

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FAQ:

What are the services provided for muscle pain by Dr. Bharath’s Acu Heal?

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 . The causes may be due to autoimmune disease, infections, injuries, medications, neuromuscular disorders.

After a thorough investigation by pulse and tongue diagnosis, condition of the disease is understood by the Acupuncturist .

The treatment will be given based on the disease’s chronicity and acuteness. In the first few sessions, positive changes in symptoms may be experienced and after several more sessions there are 90 to 100% chance that the patient recovers completely. This treatment will induce sound sleep which will help and play a vital role in reversing the ailment. Simultaneously the patient will be advised on a diet and exercise regime .

What are the benefits of acupuncture for muscle pain?

This is a drugless therapy and so no side effects. During or after completing the course of treatment, previous medications if any may be stopped.

How many sessions do you need for muscle pain ?

About 20 to 40 sessions may be required in 3 to 4 months time.