Myalgia causes muscle pain from strain or disease, and can be treated with hot/cold packs, massage, and medication. Exercise can help prevent and relieve pain. Lyme disease and meningitis require immediate medical attention. Yoga can help those with autoimmune diseases.
Myalgia results in muscle pain. It’s fair to say that most people experience one or two instances of the condition, at least, in their lifetime. Pain is most often caused by straining or overusing a muscle. It can occur in any muscle group, at any point in life. Myalgia that is not caused by muscle strain can be present in a large number of infectious diseases, from the common flu to diseases such as Lyme disease. Some autoimmune diseases such as lupus and fibromyalgia can cause significant body aches.
Muscle pain can be mild or severe if you have damaged a muscle. When pain that does not appear to be related to a disease is present for more than three days, a doctor should be consulted. This is especially important if you notice redness or swelling around the sore area, or if you have recently come into contact with a tick. If one has received a tick bite, it is very important that the tick be tested to rule out Lyme disease. This can cause progressive damage to the body, but can be easily treated with antibiotics in the beginning. Also, any myalgia accompanied by fever for more than two days requires medical attention.
Muscle pain involving extreme pain and inhibition of neck movement, accompanied by fever, can be very serious. If you are unable to touch your chin to your chest, this may indicate pain caused by meningitis. This condition requires immediate medical attention. Parents who have children complaining of neck pain and fever should advise their child to try the chin-to-chest stretch before calling the doctor, but even if your child can do it, you still need to contact a pediatrician.
Myalgia from overuse of a muscle is usually treated with alternating hot and cold packs on the affected muscle. Massage can also be beneficial. Treatment may also include taking ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen. Ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are preferred because they can reduce swelling. However, muscle pain is the body’s way of communicating that it needs more muscle. If the medication completely relieves the pain, you may experience even more pain by continuing to use the affected muscle or muscles.
Regular gentle exercise can be beneficial to those suffering from myalgia due to inactive lifestyles. Additionally, stretching before strenuous exercise can help reduce the risk of muscle soreness. It is normal for when starting an exercise regimen to feel some pain after exercise. Muscles that weren’t used frequently will be sore at first. If the pain is extreme, this could mean an injury to a muscle.
Those who have myalgia due to autoimmune diseases may experience pain relief with gentle stretching exercises. Many with lupus and fibromyalgia find that especially Hatha yoga, also called gentle yoga, can help reduce muscle pain. For those who have mobility difficulties, another helpful exercise regimen is chair yoga, which eliminates standing poses.
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