Say goodbye to muscle pain: Origin and treatment of myalgia with therapeutic deep heat

Do you feel the same? Pulling muscle pain after weight training, stubborn muscle tension in the neck after a long day in front of the screen, or cramps in the calves after an intensive mountain bike tour.

Muscle pain, medically known as myalgia, is usually caused by overuse of the muscles. This can be due to both overuse and underuse. Although in most cases such muscle pain is harmless, it can sometimes have far-reaching consequences and be caused by serious factors. Below we look at four different types of myalgia and possible causes.

Types of muscle pain and their causes 

Muscle tension

Muscle tension is usually caused by incorrect strain. In simple terms, tension always occurs when muscles are unable to cope with the demands placed on them. This includes positions held for long periods of time, repetitive movements or unaccustomed activities.

A typical example of this is office work. The shoulder and neck muscles in particular perform a lot of static work due to incorrect posture at the desk, for which they are not actually designed. They are therefore often in a stretched position, which leads to a lack of blood circulation and therefore tense muscles.

Long-term muscle tension or so-called muscular imbalances can damage the joints in the long term. Changes in the tensile conditions on a joint can lead to osteoarthritis or other joint injuries more easily.

Sore muscles

Another common example of muscle pain is muscle soreness. Although the cause is not yet fully understood, it is thought to be caused by individual, fine tears in the muscles and surrounding fascia. Although these can be very painful and restrictive depending on their intensity, they are not harmful and have no negative consequences.

However, a clear distinction must be made between more serious injuries such as muscle fibre tears or muscle strains. These injuries should not be underestimated and are often caused by rapid, reactive movements during mostly unusual activities. This often results in a blue colouration in the injured area as well as swelling and a significant restriction of movement.

Muscle cramps

Muscle cramps often occur in heavily used muscles, typically in the legs. The causes can be varied, but are usually due to insufficient water balance or a lack of electrolytes.

Muscle diseases (myopathies)

What initially appears to be harmless muscle pain can sometimes indicate serious muscle diseases (myopathies). These can be categorised into inflammatory and non-inflammatory types. In such muscle diseases, muscle weakness (paresis) or muscle atrophy often occurs in addition to the pain. 

Myositis

Inflammatory diseases include myositis, an inflammation of the muscles that can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites. Autoimmune diseases can also cause such muscle inflammation.

Fibromyalgia

There are also a number of non-inflammatory, chronic muscle pains. A well-known example of this is fibromyalgia. This is characterised by widespread pain in the body, fatigue and tenderness at certain pressure points.

In addition, thyroid dysfunction, damage to the nervous system or side effects of certain medications can also lead to muscle pain.

Possible treatment strategies for different types of muscle pain

Gentle exercise

Gentle exercise generally helps with muscle pain. Even if the motivation to do so is dampened by the pain, gentle exercise such as walking or yoga stimulates the circulation and blood flow, which promotes the healing of the muscles. This is the most effective method, especially for sore muscles and cramps, and often eliminates the need for pain medication.

Adequate hydration

In the event of cramps, care should also be taken to drink enough water and support the electrolyte balance.

Seek expert advice

In the case of acute strains, it is important to rest the muscle for the first few days. Over time, however, gentle exercise should also be used. Here, as with suspected other muscle disorders, it is essential to seek expert advice.

Therapeutic deep heat for effective pain relief

In contrast to conventional heat plasters, the deep heat of the Calopad® penetrates deep into the muscles. The heat stimulates blood circulation, which stimulates the healing of muscle wounds. In addition, the pain receptors are overlaid, making the pain less intense.

Calopad® Care's holistic solution is designed to promote movement and independent pain management. The individual symptoms and possible causes are precisely evaluated and simply explained by experts. Pain and muscle regeneration are specifically addressed with a customised therapy plan.

Would you like to speed up your recovery and relieve pain more quickly? Arrange a free consultation with our physiotherapist today.