Muscle pain and weakness can be caused by overuse, trauma, and muscle tears. RICE treatment can help, but medication and surgery may be necessary in severe cases. Lactic acid buildup can also cause discomfort, but athletes can increase their threshold with strategic planning.
Perhaps the most common cause of muscle pain and weakness is fatigue from overuse, but more serious conditions like trauma and muscle strains and tears can also lead to muscle pain and weakness. In most cases, muscle pain and weakness can be treated with plenty of rest, ice, compression and elevation – commonly known as RICE treatment – although in more severe cases medications such as painkillers or anti-inflammatory pills may be needed to treat the affected area . In severe cases, surgery may be needed to repair a damaged muscle. This is usually only needed when a muscle breaks down.
When muscles get tired, they tend to contract. This tightening can lead to discomfort in the affected muscles. Muscle pain and weakness can result from overuse due to physical activity such as sports or daily work routines. Tight muscles are also more likely to injure; Muscle tears occur when the tiny fibers that make up muscles tear, causing pain in the affected muscle. When such an injury occurs, rest is important to allow the muscles to heal on their own. Muscle fatigue or soreness may be due to a buildup of lactic acid in the muscles, so drinking plenty of fluids may help relieve some of the muscle pain and weakness.
Even a muscle can break completely from injury or overuse. A muscle tear occurs when muscle fibers completely tear away from the tendons or muscle tissue. The muscle often swells up, and swelling and severe pain will accompany the injury. A muscle tear can be extremely painful and, in many cases, the muscle will need to be surgically repaired. The recovery time for such an injury will be significantly longer than a muscular strain, and full recovery will require a gradual physical therapy routine that restores mobility and builds strength.
Athletes may choose to combat muscle soreness and weakness by attempting to raise their lactic acid threshold. The body uses glycogen for energy during exercise, and lactic acid is a byproduct of depleted glycogen. When lactic acid builds up in the muscles, the muscles can become sore, weak, tight, or otherwise uncomfortable. Such discomfort usually occurs after strenuous exercise, but performance during exercise can suffer due to lactic acid buildup. Professional trainers can help an athlete develop a strategic plan for increasing their lactic acid threshold, thereby enabling the athlete to perform better for longer periods of time and avoid the muscle soreness and weakness associated with lactic acid buildup.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
