Muscle Pain Specialist

What is muscle pain?

Muscle pain (myalgia) is something a lot of people experience when they strain a muscle from overuse or moving awkwardly. 

Bruises and hematomas are another common cause of muscle pain. You can also get muscle pain as a symptom of acute illnesses like influenza or as a side effect of certain medications.

There are also a number of diseases for which muscle pain is a primary symptom. These include:

Myofascial pain syndrome

Myofascial pain syndrome is a painful condition in which small knots or trigger points develop in the fascia – the tissues surrounding your muscles. They're tender to the touch, and the pain often radiates to other areas.

Compartment syndrome

Acute compartment syndrome causes sudden and severe muscle pain. You might also have neurological symptoms such as numbness or tingling. Chronic compartment syndrome causes a more gradual onset of muscle pain during exercise.

Acute compartment syndrome is a serious disorder, but chronic compartment syndrome pain typically goes away within 30 minutes of stopping for a rest.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia causes chronic, widespread muscle pain over all or most of your body. You're also likely to experience difficulties sleeping, fatigue, joint stiffness, anxiety, and problems with your memory and focus (fibro fog).

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)

CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME), causes extreme tiredness and a lack of energy, as well as muscle and joint pain.

Polymyalgia rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory condition of older age that rarely occurs in anyone under 50. It causes widespread aching, stiffness, and muscle pain.

Other conditions that cause muscle pain in some people include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory myopathy, thyroid disease, and Addison's disease (primary adrenal insufficiency).

How is muscle pain diagnosed?

A physical exam and evaluation of your symptoms can often provide valuable information about what might be causing your muscle pain, particularly when it's due to a strain. 

You might also need to have blood tests, or in rare cases, a muscle biopsy, where a small sample of muscle tissue goes to the lab for analysis.

CT, MRI, or ultrasound scans and electromyogram (EMG) with nerve conduction velocity (NCV) tests might also be necessary. 

With some conditions, like fibromyalgia, there aren't any tests that can confirm the diagnosis. In this case, your provider at Houston Neurological Institute assesses your symptoms and rules out other causes.

How is muscle pain treated?

The treatment you need for muscle pain depends on what's causing it. Strains and bruises typically clear up by themselves with simple self-care measures like rest, using icepacks, and applying soothing skin preparations.

Your provider at Houston Neurological Institute offers additional treatments for severe or chronic muscle pain, which could include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Low-dose tricyclic antidepressants
• Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
• Steroids
• Trigger point injections
• Physical therapy
• IV therapy

Surgery is rarely required for these types of muscle pain, although you might need a fasciotomy to alleviate pressure if you have acute compartment syndrome. 

To get expert relief from your muscle pain, call Houston Neurological Institute today or book an appointment online.