How muscle pain can affect you
Suffering from muscle pain can be distressing and limit your ability to move freely. Almost everyone experiences aching muscles from time to time, which can make doing everyday things like getting out of bed, climbing stairs and lifting things painful.
*GSK Global Pain Index Research 2014 – full report p. 26
Why do we experience muscle pain?
Muscle pain is most commonly the result of overuse or a minor injury, perhaps caused by a tough game of tennis or a trip or fall, or by tension and stress, which can make your muscles stiff and painful.
Overdoing it can cause muscle pain
Muscle pain, usually affecting a few muscles or a small part of your body, is often caused by overuse or minor injury, for example a strain or sprain resulting from overdoing it on your morning run. Trips or falls can also lead to strains and sprains that cause muscle pain.
Expert treatment
Muscle pain often gets better within a few days. You can use painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicines from your pharmacist to help ease the pain, either taken orally or applied directly to the skin over the muscle. If muscle pain becomes severe and too difficult to bear, a specialist may be able to help. He or she may advise you to do specific body exercises to rehabilitate the muscle. Your doctor may also order imaging tests such as an X-ray, MRI or CT scan, as well as blood tests, to rule out underlying conditions.
How to treat muscle pain:
