Muscle Pain

What causes muscle pain?

Muscle pain (myalgia) arises from many possible problems, including injuries, infections, and diseases. You can develop muscle pain from excessive exercise and prolonged periods of inactivity. Daily stress results in tense, cramped, and knotted muscles.

Your pain may involve more than your muscles. Problems in your ligaments, tendons, and fascia (the connective tissue covering your muscles and organs) can all lead to muscle pain.

As a rheumatologist, Dr. Rehman provides comprehensive evaluations for all kinds of muscle pain. These are a few examples of conditions he frequently treats:

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia causes widespread muscle and joint pain.

Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that can affect any part of your body, including your muscles. 

Myositis

Myositis refers to autoimmune diseases such as dermatomyositis and polymyositis that cause progressive muscle inflammation. Dermatomyositis also causes itchy, painful skin rashes, while polymyositis refers to inflammation and pain affecting more than one muscle. This condition often affects your shoulders, upper arms, hips, thighs, and neck.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)

PMR typically causes pain and inflammation in the muscles of your shoulders, hips, neck, and arms.

What symptoms accompany muscle pain?

Muscle pain may occur together with other symptoms. Depending on the root cause of your pain, you may experience:

• Fatigue
• Skin rashes
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Low-grade fever
• Muscle weakness
• Joint pain and stiffness
• Sensitivity to touch
• Confusion or memory loss
• Difficulty moving your arms or legs

Fatigue is a core symptom of fibromyalgia, but 41-57% of patients with any type of rheumatic muscle pain and inflammation also struggle with extreme fatigue.

How is muscle pain treated?

Dr. Rehman bases your treatment on your diagnosis and symptoms. He may recommend physical therapy (or exercise) and dietary changes. He often prescribes medications, such as corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), immunosuppressants, and biologics.

Dr. Rehman administers biologics through an injection or intravenous (IV) infusion. He has an in-office infusion center where patients can get their medication in a peaceful environment and under the close supervision of highly trained health professionals.

If you have muscle pain that doesn’t improve in a few days or is accompanied by a rash or fever, it’s time to get an evaluation at the Rheumatology Clinic of Houston. Call the office or request an appointment online today.