Muscle Pain vs. Joint Pain; How to Tell the Difference?

Have you ever felt pain in different parts of your body and wondered where it was originating from? This pain could be caused by anything, ranging from a minor injury, such as a fall, to chronic pain. When you experience pain in different parts of your body, it can sometimes be hard to recognize the origin and cause of the pain. However, it is essential to identify if it is muscle pain or joint pain to treat the issue in the most effective manner. This article has been specially curated to help you understand the difference between muscle and joint pain, as they are often mistaken for each other.

Muscle pain, also known as myalgia, is a symptom of an injury, disease, infection, or perhaps another chronic condition. You may suffer from a deep, consistent ache or a series of sharp pains. Some people experience muscle pain in different parts of their body, whereas others experience it recurrently, in certain spots. 

Joint pain, on the other hand, is fairly common and is typically felt in the wrists, ankles, hips, spine, or knees. Joint pain can be persistent or highly variable (it can come and go). The joint may stiffen up and feel achy or sore at times. Some patients experience burning, throbbing, or irritation. It is possible that your joint may feel stiff through the morning but will loosen up and become better with activity and movement. However, excessive activity may aggravate the pain. Joint pain can impair joint function as well as restrict your ability to accomplish basic tasks. Extreme joint pain can have a negative impact on your quality of life. As a result, the joint pain treatment you choose must address not only pain but also negatively impacted functions and activities.
 

Even though joint and muscle pain causes may overlap, the two are most often noticeably different. Muscle pain can be caused by several different factors, such as:

1. Infections: Viral and bacterial infections can give you severe body aches, and depending on what caused them, you may experience fever as well as nausea. Infections like colds, flu, foodborne illnesses, malaria, and Lyme disease can all cause muscle pain in your body.Infections: Viral and bacterial infections can give you severe body aches, and depending on what caused them, you may experience fever as well as nausea. Infections like colds, flu, foodborne illnesses, malaria, and Lyme disease can all cause muscle pain in your body.
   
   
2. Autoimmune Disease: Autoimmune diseases usually happen when the body's own immune system attacks itself by mistake. A strong immune system defends against infections and germs. Autoimmune diseases such as lupus, inflammatory myopathies like myositis and polymyositis, as well as multiple sclerosis.
   
   
3. Medications: Certain medications and treatments can result in either momentary or chronic pain. Some medications cause inflammation around muscle cells or activate pain receptors within the muscles. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, blood pressure medications, and statins are among the treatments that can cause muscle pain.
   
   
4. Injury: Overuse of muscles can result in sore muscles in your body. Other injuries like tendinitis, tendinosis, back sprains and strains, abdominal strains, broken bones, and myofascial pain syndrome (caused by repetitive movement or overuse) can all cause muscle pain.

Joint pain can be a result of several different factors, such as:

1. Viral infection: Joint movement may be painful if you have a viral infection, a rash, or perhaps a fever.
   
   
2. Bursitis: Overuse leads to bursitis. This is most common in the shoulder, hips, knee, or elbow.
   
   
3. Tendinitis: It is an inflammatory condition of the tendons, which are the flexible bands that connect muscle to bone. It is frequently brought on by overuse and typically manifests in the heel, elbow and shoulder.
   
   
4. Gout: It is a painful condition in which body crystals accumulate in the joints, causing extreme swelling and pain.
   
   
5. Osteoarthritis: It develops over time as the cartilage, the protective cushion between the bones, wears away. The joints stiffen and then become painful. Osteoarthritis develops gradually and generally occurs in middle age.
   
   
6. Rheumatoid arthritis: Arthritis is a chronic condition that leads to joint inflammation and pain.
    

If you don't understand what's triggering your muscular pain, or if the pain is severe or chronic, your doctor may recommend tests like:

1. You may have to get a CT scan or MRI done to check if you have any sort of muscle damage or injury.
   
   
2. The doctor may require you to get some blood tests done to check your hormone levels as well as electrolyte and enzyme levels in your body. Blood tests are also conducted to test for certain infections.
   
   
3. Your doctor may suggest electromyography to measure the electrical activity in your muscles and nerves.
   
   
4. A muscle biopsy might be suggested if your healthcare professional is trying to look for changes in the muscle tissue that may indicate neuromuscular diseases.

In cases of joint pain, it is important to get your diagnosis done as soon as possible so that you can begin your joint pain treatment quickly. 

1. Your healthcare professional will ask you quite a lot of questions regarding your joint pain. This question-and-answer session is conducted to figure out the cause of the joint pain. In such cases, you must be prepared to respond to questions regarding previous joint injuries, the time when the joint pain started, a family medical history of joint pain, as well as the degree of discomfort you experience.
   
   
2. After the examination, your doctor will look for signs of injuries in the surrounding tendons, muscles, and ligaments.
   
   
3. Your doctor may also suggest you get some X-rays to see if there is any sort of joint deterioration, bone spurs, fluid within the joint, or any other issue that is contributing to the pain.
   
   
4. You may also be asked to get some blood tests done, which will either confirm the diagnosis or help you identify any other illness that may be causing the joint pain.
    

If you are seeking an appropriate muscle pain treatment, your healthcare professional may recommend the following:

1. You will first be asked to rest and elevate the area that is painful.
   
   
2. You might also be asked to use ice packs for reducing inflammation and heat for improving blood circulation alternatively.
   
   
3. If advised by your doctor, you can opt for over-the-counter painkillers. These will be easily available at the medical store near you.
   
   
4. If you are looking for muscle pain relief at home, you can soak in a warm bath filled with Epsom salt. You can also choose to take a soothing shower under warm water.
   
   
5. Your doctor might also suggest you some complementary therapies like ice pack and heat pack, massage therapy or meditation.

If you are experiencing severe joint pain and it feels like it is exacerbating every minute, you must begin joint pain treatment as soon as possible. It is possible that the joint pain may not be cured, but it can be managed to get you some relief from the pain. 

1. Simple exercises like swimming, walking, and low-impact aerobic exercise can help you relieve your joint pain. If you engage in strenuous exercise or sports activities, you might be required to reduce your participation in such activities or simply start a low-impact workout regimen. Gentle stretching exercises may also prove beneficial for you. Remember that, before you start or continue any exercise routine, speak with your physician.
   
   
2. You may soak yourself in a bathtub of warm water, as it will get you some joint pain relief. Other than that, you can also apply ice packs or a heating pad alternatively multiple times a day over the painful area. These at-home methods are applicable for both muscle and joint pain.
   
   
3. You can also apply some ointments over the area of the painful joint. You can easily find these over-the-counter or even ask your doctor to prescribe you one.

If your joint pain treatment is yet not helping you, your healthcare professional may suggest you the following:

1. Physical therapy, in combination with a well-balanced fitness program, may help to gradually alleviate discomfort and enhance your flexibility.
   
   
2. Your healthcare professional may also suggest you use certain supportive aids like a cane, brace, or some orthopaedic device in the shoe. These can provide support for your joint pain treatment and allow ease of movement. A pain relief bandage such as the Hansaplast Cotton Crepe Bandage can help relieve joint pain and muscle strain.
    

Please note that the above recommendations are general care tips. Consult a healthcare professional in case of any uncertainty around wound treatment and healing.

Always see your doctor if a wound is deep, bleeding profusely or showing signs of infection. For diabetic patients especially, proper wound care holds the utmost importance. Do not hesitate to discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor or your podiatrist, even when it comes to minor wounds and cuts – especially if they’re on your feet.
 
The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Although compiled with great care, it is not a substitute for professional advice. If you have or suspect a health problem, consult your doctor immediately. 

For further information regarding Hansaplast products, please contact us via email at customer.care@bdfindia.com