Muscle pain

Abstract

Muscle pain, also known as myalgia, is most commonly associated with sprains or strains. It frequently presents as redness at the site of injury, tenderness, swelling and fever. Muscle pain may occur as a result of excitation of the muscle nociceptor due to overuse of the muscle, viral infections or trauma. The most important endogenous substance released in response to the damaged tissues or nociceptor nerve endings in regards with muscle pain is adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Optimal pain management involves a combination of non-opioid, opioid analgesics, adjuvants, as well as non-pharmacologic strategies. Non-opiod analgesics include paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, which are indicated for mild to moderate pain. Whereas moderate to severe pain acquires opiod analgesics. This article provides an overview of muscle pain, the management and treatment thereof.

An overview of the management of back pain

“…To improve painful states, small solid needles are inserted into specific points in the body. 20 An overview of systematic reviews done by Liu et al showed that using acupuncture in isolation or as adjunct therapy provided short-term improvements in function and pain for chronic lower back pain. 21…”