Muscle and joint pain can affect any joints of the body but the major joints of hips, shoulders and knees are more prone to it. Obese persons are more vulnerable to this problem.

As an individual progress towards aging, wear and tear of the joints is common that leads to muscle and joint pains. The degeneration of the bones and cartilage occurs that causes osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis causes inflammation and tenderness of the joints followed by pains of varying intensity. But the muscle joint pain can also arise due to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE, which is also an important causative factor. Symptoms of SLE resemble almost to that of viral fever with severe attacks of pain that can really induce illness in a person.

Muscle and joint pain can affect any joints of the body but the major joints of hips, shoulders and knees are more prone to it; the obese persons being the most vulnerable to this problem.

Symptoms of SLE

1. Swelling and inflammation of the joints with pain.
2. Tenderness in the joints.
3. Sometimes there is serious inflammation of the joints that are painless.
4. General feeling of weakness, as there is loss of strength due to the inflammation of the skeletal muscles.
5. Pain in the joints may also persist while in resting condition.

Other Causes

1. Muscle injury
2. Bursitis
3. Fibromylagia
4. Tendonitis
5. Avascular bone necrosis
6. Different forms of arthritis
7. Infections
Treatment

Patients suffering from the muscle and joint pains are advised both rest and physical exercises in right proportions. Those who are suffering from SLE must be extra cautious in carrying out exercises so that over strain and exertion does not deteriorate the condition of the already damaged joints and muscles.?br />
The exact cause of the muscle and joint pain must be detected before starting the treatment. The pains are more or less curable when detected at an early stage, but for SLE there is no permanent cure. The symptoms can be reduced to some extent to protect the organs from any serious damage. In mild cases of SLE, short courses of anti-inflammatory medicines are sufficient whereas serious cases of SLE may demand a mixed treatment with corticosteroids and other anti-inflammatory medications. Hydroxychloroquine, an anti malarial medicine is found to be highly effective in treating SLE and also prevents relapsing of this condition, if taken consistently.?br />
More rest and good sleep are advised by health experts for SLE patients. Sound sleep reduces the fatigue and weakness and prevents any sort of depression arising out of this disease. Moderate exercises should be carried out to keep the muscles active and toned.?br />
Extract from herb French maritime pine contains compounds that help in reducing the inflammation. Massaging with herbal oils of peppermint, tea tree, camphor and cayenne provides comfort by reducing the inflammation. Birch and Balsam of Tulu herbs are also beneficial in treating muscular joint pains.