The Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Joint and Muscle Pain

Muscle and joint pain belong to a larger category of common pain conditions affecting the muscles, connective tissue, and bones of a body, known as musculoskeletal pain¹.

The musculoskeletal system includes all the physical structures of the human body that help support body weight and facilitate movement². This system includes the bones, muscles, ligaments, joints, tendons², and other connective tissues.

Because all these components are so connected and intertwined, joint pain can be mistaken for muscular pain, and vice versa.

This guide covers how to tell the difference between joint and muscle pain, and the common causes, symptoms, and treatments of muscle and joint pain.

Joint pain is pain or discomfort that affects the joints, which may include³:

• ligaments (strong fibrous tissue that connects two bones together)
• cartilage (soft tissue cushioning between two bones that prevent grating)
• tendons

Some of the most common joints prone to joint pain are the knees, hips, and spinal joints⁴.

Joint pain can range from mild discomfort to agonizing pain⁴. Some of the most common joint pain causes include injuries and normal wear and tear⁴.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis⁵. that affects weight-bearing joints (knees, hips), as well as the hands⁶.

The gradual wear and tear of joint cartilage increases the chances of bone rubbing or bone reshaping⁶, which can cause pain.

A contributor to chronic joint pain⁵, overuse injuries cause repetitive stress and microtrauma⁶ to joints and components surrounding joints, which causes joint pain.

Bursitis is one example of this. It’s a condition caused by overuse of a particular joint⁷. It results in painful swelling, irritation, and inflammation⁸ of a bursa, which is a fluid-filled sac located between bones in a joint. It tends to occur in the knees, shoulders, elbows, hips, and feet⁸.

For more information on the symptoms and treatment of upper back pain check out our guide here.

Muscle pain describes pain affecting a muscle^8,10, a group of muscles, or tendons. Tendons are the connective tissues that attach muscle to bone.

The six major groups of skeletal muscles¹¹ are:

• back
• arms
• legs
• shoulders
• chest
• abdominal area

All of these muscle groups are prone to muscle pain due to injury, repetitive stress, or other reasons⁸.

A muscle strain, also known as a pulled muscle, involves stretching a muscle beyond its normal ability⁹. This causes tears in the muscle fibers, resulting in pain.

Impact injuries to a muscle that result in bruising can cause pain and tenderness¹⁰ in the impact area. For example, getting kicked in the calf muscle can leave a painful and tender feeling, alongside bruising. It may last for a few days¹⁴.

Muscle spasms are the sudden and involuntary tightening and contraction of a muscle¹¹. This can produce painful sensations. Muscle spasms may last from a few seconds to a few minutes¹¹, and may occur more than once¹¹.

Physical inactivity conditions the muscle into becoming immobile and weak¹². However, beyond directly impacting the weak muscle(s) itself, surrounding muscle groups have to overwork to compensate for the weak muscle¹³. This can in turn lead to overuse injuries and muscle pain.

For example, weak abdominal muscles can cause the back muscles to work harder¹⁴, In order to support upper body weight. Constant overuse of the back muscles can eventually lead to chronic back muscle pain and back muscle strain¹⁴.

See our guide on what causes lower back pain and how to treat and relieve it here.

So, all that said, what is the actual difference between joint pain and muscle pain?

In terms of how the pain itself feels, the distinguishing factor between joint and muscle pain is the location of the pain within the affected area. Muscle pain can be felt deep within the flesh, and may affect one specific muscle or group^9, or be felt all over. Joint pain, however, is felt at the bone or immediately surrounding a joint⁵.

We’ll take a closer look at the symptoms of these two types of pain below.

Joint pain in common weight-bearing joints, such as the knees, hips⁶, and spinal joints, tends to be easier to identify because of where they are located.

Other symptoms you might experience with joint pain⁵ include:

• swelling
• inflammation
• redness or warmth
• creakiness or tendency to make noise when moving
• difficulty bending or straightening the joint

Over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen, can temporarily ease muscle or joint pain¹⁸, but it is recommended that you speak with your healthcare provider for more information.

Topical pain relievers, such as Biofreeze^* topical pain products, are another option for temporary muscle and joint pain relief. These pain relievers are applied to the skin for penetrating pain relief.

Biofreeze^* topical products feature menthol, which provides a cooling sensation¹⁹ and pain relief for sore muscles and joints²⁰.

Cold and heat therapy are easy at-home remedies that can ease pain. Cold therapy, like ice packs, helps to manage pain²¹ and reduce any swelling or inflammation²¹ in the muscle or joint. Meanwhile, heat therapy, like a heating pad, helps to relax stiff and sore muscles or joints²¹.

If your muscle or joint pain is due to an injury, physical therapy may help to restore strength and normal movement or function through a variety of stretches and exercises²².

^*Ensure this product is right for you. Always read and follow the product label.