This article is a translation of the following Japanese article:
Original: 大人の筋肉痛と病的な痛みの違いとは？｜見分け方・原因・対処法をやさしく解説
Why does it hurt?
“Muscular pain” and “pathological pain (pain that requires attention)” have completely different causes and treatments.
However, they may look and feel similar, so
- Is this normal muscle pain?
- Or maybe I’m sick?
- When should I go to the hospital?
There are so many people who are worried about this.
Author
“Pain is a “sign from the body,” so if you understand it correctly, your anxiety will be greatly reduced🌿”
First of all, the basics | What is muscle pain?
Medically, muscle pain is mainly called Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). (mayoclinic.org)
Features are
- Gets stronger within 12-24 hours after exercise
- Peaks 48-72 hours after exercise
- It will settle down naturally in a few days
- Movement may reduce pain
That’s the point.
✔ Occurs after muscles are used
✔ Associated with damage to minute muscle fibers and inflammation
✔ Signs that the body is returning to normal
Author
“It’s OK to think of it as a proof of your hard work. But be sure to distinguish between the types of pain.”
What is pathological pain (pain caused by illness or injury)?
On the other hand, pathological pain is
- Arthritis
- Muscle/ligament rupture
- Nerve pain
- Pain originating from internal organs
This is pain caused by an abnormality in the body.
Here
✔ The pain continues for a long time
✔ It hurts even when you don’t move
✔ There is swelling and a feeling of heat
✔ Accompanied by numbness and weakness
There are characteristics such as If left untreated, it may interfere with daily life. (healthline.com)
Author
“If you think it’s just muscle pain, it won’t go away…” This is a common misconception.”
How to distinguish between muscle pain and pathological pain
Even though the pain is the same, the points are different, so let’s check it out.
🟡 ① Timing of pain
Muscle pain
- 12-24 hours after exercise
- The key points are changes in momentum and intensity
The pain of illness
- Unrelated to exercise
- Sudden/The cause is unclear
- It hurts right after the injury
🟡 ② Continuation/change of pain
Muscle pain
- You will feel lighter naturally in 2-3 days
- Pain is related to movement
The pain of illness
- Prolonged pain (more than a week)
- It hurts even if I don’t move
- The pain is getting stronger
🟡 ③ Location of pain and nature of symptoms
Muscle pain
- Feeling your muscles tense
- There is tenderness, but little swelling or warmth
- You may feel refreshed when you move
The pain of illness
- Swelling of the joints
- Redness, heat, discomfort
- Numbness, weakness, and symptoms may spread
🟡 ④ Typical check items
| Symptoms | Muscular pain | Medical pain | Timing of pain | After exercise | Cause unknown/immediately after injury |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Within a few days | Prolonged/worsening< /td> |
| Heat sensation/swelling | Almost none | Yes |
| When moving | Reduces/changes | < td>May get worse|
| Numbness/paresthesia | Almost none | Yes |
Typical causes of “pathological pain”
Pains other than muscle pain include the following.
① Arthritis (e.g. osteoarthritis/rheumatoid arthritis)
✔ Trouble walking and moving
✔ Stiffness in the morning
✔ Prolonged swelling, warmth, and pain
Due to an abnormality in the joint itself, you may experience pain regardless of whether you move or not. (arthritis.org)
② Muscle/tendon rupture/inflammation (tendonitis/muscle tear)
✔ Bruising and swelling
✔ Severe pain when moving
✔ Pain triggered by certain movements
This is a common symptom caused by sports injuries.
Author
“There are so many stories about what I thought was muscle pain…”
③ Neuralgia (sciatica, etc.)
✔ Numbness/tingling
✔ The pain spreads over a wide area
✔ It hurts even when I’m sleeping
Pain caused by pressure or stimulation of nerves. (mayoclinic.org)
④ Pain originating from internal organs
✔ Sudden strong pain
✔ Below the ribs/abdomen
✔ Pain regardless of whether you move or not
The pain may not be caused by muscles.
Example: gallstones, kidney stones, gastrointestinal diseases, etc.
Author
“There are cases where you think your foot hurts, but it turned out to be another disease, so it is important to carefully assess the situation.”
The correct way to deal with muscle pain
Start with Care for ordinary muscle pain.
✔ ① Light stretching
Lightly stretching your muscles after exercise or the next day will soften them and relieve pain.
✔ ② Warm (promote blood flow)
Taking a bath or warming your body with a warm towel will help relieve muscle stiffness.
In the acute stage, cooling and then heating may be effective.
Author
“Alternating hot and cold care is a method that athletes often use✨”
✔ ③ Take a break
Continuing excessive stress can easily lead to chronic stress, so don’t forget to take adequate rest.
The balance between exercise and recovery is very important.
How to deal with pathological pain?
For pathological pain, treatments vary depending on the cause.
🩺 ① Estimated hospital visit
Consult a specialist if you have the following symptoms:
✔ The pain lasts for more than a week
✔ It interferes with daily life
✔ There is swelling, heat, and numbness at the same time
✔ There is severe pain
✔ The pain started suddenly for unknown reasons
At the hospital
- X-ray
- MRI
- Blood tests
The cause will be determined and appropriate treatment will be given.
Author
“The key to peace of mind is to check early rather than wait and see.😊”
🩹 ② Exclusive treatment
✔ Physical therapy
✔ Rehabilitation
✔ Drug therapy
✔ Injection therapy
✔ Surgery (if necessary)
Different treatments are used depending on the cause and symptoms.
Let’s assess the pain of adults and not ignore it
Muscular pain is basically daily and short-term pain, but
pathological pain often does not improve, worsens, or affects daily life.
Knowing your pain patterns will help you distinguish between
✔ pain that goes away with rest, and pain that requires medical attention from a specialist.
Author
“Knowing what kind of pain it is, not “pain = going to the hospital right away”, will lead to the greatest peace of mind🌱”
Summary｜Understand the difference between muscle pain and pathological pain
✔ Muscle pain is temporary pain after exercise
✔ Pathological pain is pain caused by an abnormality or injury
✔ Distinguish by the duration, nature, and situation of the pain
✔ Rest, warmth, and stretching are the basic care for muscle pain
✔ If the pain persists or the discomfort is strong, see a doctor
Author
“Pain is a message from the body. If you receive it correctly, your body and mind will be healthy🌼”
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