Overview
Muscle soreness and pain is known in the medical community as myalgia. The most common causes are from overuse and overstretching of muscle or muscle group.
Symptoms
The soreness is often experienced as a dull, aching pain in the affected muscle, possibly combined with tenderness and stiffness, which is felt locally or in a regional area of the body. However, it can also be experienced as a more intense persistent pain that is felt with even the slightest use of the muscle. The pain can be made worse with activity or stress.
Causes
Muscle soreness and pain may be caused from a muscle injury, or from excessive strain on a muscle or muscle group, ligament or tendon. Other causes include:
– General fatigue
– Repetitive motions
– Lack of activity (e.g. a broken arm in a sling)
– Injury to inter vertebral disc
Solutions
In cases of chronic soreness and pain, professional advice should be sought. There are different methods that can be used for treating muscle soreness and pain, including:
– Physical therapy
– Massage therapy
– Hot baths, saunas
– Low intensity work