Arthritis is a term that commonly refers to any one of more than 100 rheumatic diseases that cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. Many people who are diagnosed with arthritis experience muscle pain that ranges from moderate to severe. Understanding the causes of this pain and the available treatment options may ease the uncertainty and provide much needed relief.

Why Does Arthritis Cause Muscle Pain?

There is a close association between arthritis and muscle pain. As arthritis causes swelling and inflammation of the joints, the connecting muscles feel the stress. To look at it simply: the swollen joints cause the muscles to be awkwardly attached to the bones, setting them at odd angles that cause stress and strains. The result can be anything from a mild discomfort to a more severe muscle pain brought on by the arthritis. Since the treatment for this disease usually involves decreasing the inflammation around the joints, the accompanying arthritic muscle pain is often alleviated at the same time.

Decreasing the Muscle Pain of Arthritis

Have you ever experienced a "charley horse"? If so, you understand the spasm and pain associated with muscles that are either overworked or injured. In the case of arthritis, muscle pain can be constant, causing a decrease in mobility and a sense of frustration. Since there is not a definitive idea of what causes arthritis, the disease is never really cured, only managed. However, with a proper medication program, combined with a good diet and exercise, many people report a diminished degree of arthritis muscle pain.

The first way to seek immediate relief from the muscle pain of arthritis is through medication with prescription drugs or over-the-counter ones. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are probably already in your medicine cabinet and can offer relief from the pain. Doctors usually prescribe NSAID drugs, which actually decrease the swelling in the joints, thereby creating a longer lasting benefit. But all drugs have side effects and a little research in this area may save you some discomfort.

Vitamin and herbal supplements are also being used to decrease arthritis muscle pain and many patients are pleased with the results. Since muscle spasms can occur when the body is dehydrated or low in potassium, these supplements target those areas and offer genuine improvement. Topical creams have also been shown to have a high level of effectiveness with very minimal adverse side effects. Muscle relaxers as well as sleep aids are often prescribed, giving the arthritis sufferer the ability to rest and be pain free.

Pain is the body's way of getting our attention that something is wrong. In the case of arthritis muscle pain, the message may be that your condition needs to be re-evaluated or your medication needs to be changed. Listening to your pain is the first step to getting relief.