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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffThe most common causes of muscle pain are tension, stress, overuse and minor injuries. This type of pain is usually localized, affecting just one or more muscles or parts of your body. Systemic muscle pain, which you feel throughout your body, is different. It's more often the result of an infection, an illness or a side effect of a medication.
Common causes of muscle pain include:
- Chronic exertional compartment syndrome
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Claudication
- Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
- Dermatomyositis
- Dystonia
- Fibromyalgia
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Influenza (flu)
- Lupus
- Lyme disease
- Medications, especially statins
- Muscle cramp
- Muscle strain or rupture
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Polymyositis
- Porphyria
- Post-polio syndrome
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Rhabdomyolysis, a potentially life-threatening condition in which muscle fibers break down and enter your bloodstream — sometimes as a side effect of using statin drugs
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Sprains and strains
- Staph infections
- Viral infections
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
References
- Kinirons M, et al. French's Index of Differential Diagnosis: An A-Z. 15th ed. London, England: Hodder Arnold; 2011:428.
- Shmerling RH. Approach to the patient with myalgia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 31, 2013.
- Ropper AH, et al. Adams & Victor's Principles of Neurology. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=54. Accessed Jan 31, 2013.
- LeBlond RF, et al. DeGowin's Diagnostic Examination. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=534. Accessed Jan. 31, 2013.
- Sprains and strains. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/Sprains_Strains/default.asp. Accessed Jan. 31, 2013.
- Wilkinson JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 3, 2013.
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