Chronic muscle pain could be an extremely painful situation for an individual to endure. Moreover, this is a condition that lingers on and delivers discomfort all throughout.

Chronic muscle pain . . . a term that we have heard time and again from one and all. Considering the lifestyle that one is leading nowadays, with tenterhook deadlines and tiptoed competition, the term has become a genuine part of our daily routine lives. It is this one monotonous streak that we are working in. Due to certain pressures and tensions, there are probabilities that we may develop muscle pain that refuses to let us off. Myofascial pain syndrome -- uncanny as it may sound -- this term is a sustained fanci-fication of the humble term chronic muscle pain syndrome. Both refer to the pain and inflammation that is suffered by the soft tissues of the body. This is a condition that affects the connective tissues that prove to be a protective cover for the muscles. The pain may be experienced in a single muscle, or muscles in concert may be involved. In certain cases, the point or the area where the individual is experiencing pain may not be the actual site of the pain generator. There are studies that reveal that the actual site where the injury has occurred, manufactures a trigger point, which causes the pain in another area. This situation is called the referred pain.

What Is Chronic Muscle Pain

Sometimes, there are experiences that are deemed fate, when you are hurt in an extremely nasty manner, and the after effects that are endured by you are courtesy the incident that occurred. You may also have endured injuries that are internal as well as external in nature. Where internal injuries are concerned, you may have endured muscle damage and fatigue. This muscle damage either takes its own time and vanishes or it lingers, making you suffer, delivering an irritated demeanor as a bonus. However, when the muscle pain causes are thoroughly diagnosed, a solution could be deciphered.

Diagnosis

As aforementioned, the diagnosis of the condition in question progresses when the trigger points are pinpointed. The regions where pain and discomfort is felt to the highest degree is termed trigger points. When discussing muscle pain, there are four types of trigger points that are taken into consideration for further diagnosis: (1) Active trigger point, one region that is highly sensitive. Extreme pain and tenderness in experienced in this area; (2) Latent trigger point, region that is activated when pressure is applied. Thus, when stimulated, the latent trigger point becomes an active trigger point; (3) Secondary trigger point, a vulnerable spot that triggers pain when the neighboring region is activated; and (4) Satellite myofascial point, a spot that seems painful, simply due to its proximity with the active trigger point.

Causes

Arthritis
Arthritis occurs in the muscles and joints. The three major types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis causing pain and stiffness in the joints. Osteoarthritis can also lead to difficulty or loss of movement in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is also a painful joint condition caused by inflammation of the lining of the joints. Juvenile arthritis is a condition that occurs before the age of 18. Due to arthritis, which is a chronic pain condition, muscle pain is also accompanied.

Pinched Nerve
Pinched nerves is a condition where the nerves in the spine, back or other areas of the body are pinched or squeezed. This is generally caused by a severe muscle strain or injury to the area or nearby locations. This can cause the area muscles to spasm and become painful.

Bulging Disc
A bulged disk in the back can be caused from an injury or improper posture. Bulging disks can compress nearby muscle groups and cause spasm.

Myositis
Myositis is a type of muscle inflammation that leads to swelling. It is often caused by an injury or infection. Myositis leads to chronic pain, and muscle groups throughout the body are a potential to developing pain. These muscle groups may include the back, shoulders, neck, arms, and legs.

Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a serious condition causing excruciating chronic muscle pain, and will eventually lead to complete loss of sensation and inability to move the muscle groups. This condition has the potential to cause extreme muscle pain along the joints.

Treatment

• Stretching the muscles correctly, thereby not applying undue strain, can cause the muscles to feel relieved.
• Another way to relieve the pain is a massage. A physiotherapist can massage the affected area and disintegrate the knotted muscles that have been inflicting pain for so long.
• Correct your posture. Slouching when you stand or sit is what you need to deal with and correct the situation to feel better.
• An injection therapy can be conducted in the medical practitioner's clinic. Injecting those trigger points with a numbing agent can help deal with the sensitivity in those areas and reduce pain and inflammation.
• Hot and cold therapy along with anti-inflammatory drugs help in curbing muscle pain caused due to arthritis.
• Antidepressant medication may also be administered that will aid you to have a sound sleep and relieve the pain you have been enduring.

Chronic muscle pain with the above-given treatment options could get better, provided you are ready to give in another important component to getting and feeling better, i.e., rest. Rest well, adhere to your doctor's prescription to the T, and you sure will feel the difference.