“So I am only 24 and almost a month ago my upper back became very sore, mostly on the right side,” wrote a member of a community forum at AnxietyZone.com. “It felt like sore muscle knots and I figured it was because of stress and sitting hunched at the computer too much.”
Muscle aches, pain, and soreness can be due to many reasons. According to an article at MedlinePlus, a muscle pain can involve ligaments, tendons, and fascia or the soft tissues that connect muscles, bones, and organs. Often, it relates to tension, overuse, or muscle injury from exercise or physically-demanding work, where the pain tends to involve specific muscles and starts during or just after an activity. In such situations, usually it is obvious which activity is causing the pain.
Many people tend to confuse soreness with pain, which are actually very different, according to Jennipher Walters, a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor. In an article at SparkPeople.com, Walters wrote that soreness is more of a dull, slightly uncomfortable ache in the muscle, whereas pain is a very uncomfortable or sometimes sharp sensation in the bones, joints, or sometimes muscles. While some muscle soreness is normal, pain is not. If pain is felt at any point during a workout, it is important to stop whatever activity a person is doing. Seeing a healthcare professional immediately is advised if there is one or more of the following:
- sudden pain
- severe pain
- swelling
- extreme
tenderness
- weakness in
a limb
- inability
to place weight on a leg or foot
- inability
to move a joint through its full range of motion
- visible
dislocation or broken bone
- numbness or tingling experienced
Muscle Ache Relief
When looking for muscle ache relief, one of the first things a person should do is to isolate and identify the source or cause of the pain. This is the advice given in an article at PainRelief.FactExpert.com. It is absolutely important to know if a pain is resulting from simple strain and overuse or it is a serious problem that requires a doctor’s treatment. If there is a torn muscle, dislocation of a disc or joint or some other similar problem, pain relief treatments should not be used to alleviate the pain as it will only temporarily mask the real problem.
A few things can be done to relief muscle pain or ache once it has been determined as not a medical condition that needs to be treated right away. In the case of muscle pain from overuse or injury, rest for that part of the body is advised, as stated in the MedlinePlus article. Apply ice to reduce pain and inflammation for the first 24 to 72 hours of an injury. After that, use heat which should feel more soothing.
Massage usually helps with muscle aches that are due to overuse or long term body-wide pain. Gentle stretching exercises after a long rest period are also helpful. Regular exercise can help restore proper muscle tone. Walking, cycling, and swimming are good aerobic activities to try as well.
When
doing a workout, always begin slowly and increase gradually. Avoid high-impact aerobic activities and weight lifting when injured or while in pain. Get plenty of sleep and try to reduce stress. If these measures do not help, seek professional help from a doctor who may prescribe medication or physical therapy or refer you to a specialized pain clinic.
In cases where muscle aches are due to specific disease, patients should follow the instructions of the doctor or specialist on treatment of the primary illness.
by eHow
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