Chronic Muscle Pain and Spasm
Muscle pain and spasms occur from spontaneous muscle contractions. They often occur from overused or damaged muscles (torn or strained). Spasm pain is localized, often intense and comes on suddenly, lasting for a few minutes before it fades away. Some of the common causes of muscle pain and spasms include:
- Prolonged exercise or regular overuse of the muscles
- Dehydration and salt depletion
- Metabolic disorders that interfere with the supply of energy to the muscles
- Narrowing of the arteries
- Illnesses like diabetes and anemia
Muscle pain and spasms can be diagnosed by performing a thorough medical history along with a neurological and physical examination. Your doctor may also conduct an electromyography, a test to record the electrical activity of the affected muscle during rest and movement. Treatment involves pain relieving medication, treating dehydration by replacing fluids and electrolytes, and treating the underlying neurologic or metabolic diseases.