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Health

Muscle pain

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Muscle pain is a fairly common problem that can occur even at a young age.

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What causes muscle pain?

Chronic muscle pain is associated with deterioration of muscle fiber function, which occurs as a result of prolonged low static load, which causes an increase in metabolic processes, an increase in the contractility of the fibers, which in turn leads to the occurrence of local muscle spasm and compression of vascular-nerve formations, and circulatory disorders.

The cause of pain is muscle deformation, in which the stronger part stretches the weaker one. When the muscle's reserve capacity is exhausted, myofascial trigger zones are formed in the muscle fibers, which are painful to the touch seals (cords). When pressed, a sharp pain is felt in the muscles, which can radiate to distant muscles, appear both during movement and at rest, and vegetative disorders can also occur. If the trigger zones are latent, muscle pain when palpated occurs only at the site of the trigger and does not radiate to nearby areas. If there is a prolonged muscle spasm, excessive hypothermia and physical exertion, hidden trigger points can become active. If muscle pain is combined with pain in the neck, chest, back, lower back, arms and legs, as well as with an increase in temperature, you should seek help from a doctor.

Common causes of muscle pain:

  • Overexertion - can occur as a result of injury, prolonged lack of physical activity, osteochondrosis.
  • Insufficient mobility - muscle pain can be associated with prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position, incorrect posture while working at a computer, or while driving.
  • Lack of rest and muscle relaxation.
  • Hypothermia (general or local).
  • Psychological factors. Muscle tension occurs as a result of stressful situations.
  • Pathologies of visceral organs and joints. Pain impulses coming from the affected organs or joints cause a protective reaction in the form of muscle tension.

In the case of heart pain, for example, myofascial pain syndrome can be concentrated in the chest area; in the case of chronic pancreatitis - in the lumbar region or lower thoracic region.

If you sleep in an uncomfortable position for a long time, this can also make trigger points active. In such a situation, there is a nagging pain in the back, which is diffuse in nature. Due to prolonged immobility of the limbs due to injuries, such as fractures, painful tension occurs in the muscles, they need to be gradually stretched, and the joints need to be developed.

If the muscles are not sufficiently trained, prolonged stress on them can lead to painful tension and activation of trigger points. Physical overload can also occur during sports if the muscles are not warmed up and prepared. Trigger zones can also be activated by direct muscle injury.

How to relieve muscle pain?

First, it is necessary to normalize the functions of blood circulation in the damaged muscles and metabolic processes, which in turn helps to remove lactic acid, which is a decay product. It is necessary to avoid stress, physical overload, have a good rest, you can use anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous drugs, physiotherapy and massage procedures, manual therapy methods and acupuncture (Lyapko applicators).

It should be noted that the use of applications does not cause stress on the heart, which is an advantage for people with heart disease, circulatory failure, and for the elderly. After using the applicator, you can additionally apply a heat compress of dimexide, analgin and vitamin B12. The course of treatment is ten to twelve procedures, repeated if necessary after two to four weeks.

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