Muscle pain occurs for a number of reasons. The most common types of muscle aches and pains result from over-exercising, strains or stress-related conditions. However, chronic muscle pain, a debilitating condition that can develop anywhere in the body, significantly intrudes on the quality of your life. According to the Mayo Clinic, chronic muscle pain results from a pinched nerve or an illness such as fibromyalgia, chronic exertional compartment syndrome or myofacial pain syndrome. While painful and difficult to deal with, many treatments exist to assist in managing chronic muscle afflictions.
Pinched Nerve
A pinched nerve causes pain to radiate from the nerve to muscles in your body. According to the Mayo Clinic, a pinched nerve occurs from too much pressure being placed on the tissue surrounding a nerve. Several factors increase the risk of a pinched nerve, including injury from exercise, repetitive movements, and such lifestyle choices as bad posture and obesity. Resting the injured area provides the best chance of recovery for a pinched nerve. In extreme cases, physicians recommend surgery and physical therapy to treat a pinched nerve.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia causes muscles throughout your body to ache, making muscles painful to touch. In addition to muscle pain, fibromyalgia causes you to feel exhausted. Women tend to develop fibromyalgia at a higher rate than men and the risk of fibromyalgia increases as you age. Fibromyalgia often begins as a result of pain associated with prior physical illness. The National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) suggests a genetic link allows fibromyalgia to pass on in families. In addition to treating fibromyalgia with physical treatment, such as exercise, rest and a healthy diet, you may be prescribed an antidepressant. Antidepressants treat fibromyalgia by elevating levels of serotonin, a chemical in the brain associated with pain. As serotonin levels increase, pain is reduced in the body.
Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome
Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) causes people engaging in high-impact or repetitive activities to experience pain or swelling in the muscles. Symptoms of CECS progress with activity, subsiding when the muscles are given appropriate rest. CECS causes your muscles to feel achy, stiff and lethargic. Stretching your muscles before and after strenuous activity reduces your risk of CECS.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
While it is not unusual for your muscles to temporarily ache, enduring pain that is sensitive to the touch or causes joint stiffness may be a sign of myofascial pain syndrome, which is a condition that causes chronic muscle pain. According to the Mayo Clinic, trigger points, or tight muscle fibers caused by overtraining or injury, result in aches and pains felt in your muscles. Recent injury, lack of muscle use, and periods of prolonged exposure to stress increases your risk of myofascial pain syndrome.
Pain Management
The pain associated with the chronic muscle conditions is manageable with active self-care, which involves a combination of treatments to address constant muscle pain. The physical treatment associated with chronic muscle pain may involve an exercise program, stretching, massage, increased rest and a healthy diet. The NFA and the Mayo Clinic found that alternative treatments such as yoga, acupuncture, and homeopathic treatments like herbs may assist in managing chronic muscle pain.
