Muscle and nerve pain are two of the most common chronic pain conditions. If you’re unsure whether your pain stems from muscle issues or damaged nerves, your symptoms can provide insight into the source of your pain.
At New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine, we offer comprehensive care for many chronic pain conditions, including those that contribute to muscle or nerve pain.
Jose De La Torre, MD, and our team provide advanced diagnostic services in the office to identify the cause of acute or chronic pain. We also personalize a treatment plan using the latest nonsurgical therapies to ease pain and related symptoms.
Here, we take a closer look at the similarities and differences between muscle and nerve pain.
Muscle pain is often associated with minor strains and overuse injuries. Repetitive movements required of certain sports or jobs are a common cause of acute muscle pain.
You can also develop muscle pain from:
Nerve pain can result from nerve damage caused by diabetes (diabetic neuropathy), a viral infection known as shingles, or from disorders of the nervous system, including Parkinson’s disease.
Many people experience some level of nerve pain due to nerve compression conditions, such as sciatica. Pressure from bone spurs, damaged joints, or inflamed tissues can press on nearby nerves. Persistent nerve compression can lead to nerve irritation and damage.
There are a few similarities between muscle and nerve pain, including the intensity of pain. Both nerve and muscle pain can range in intensity from mild and occasional to severe and chronic.
It’s also possible to have a condition or experience an injury that causes pain in the muscles and nerves simultaneously.
However, there are key differences between muscle and nerve pain. Muscle pain is typically felt as soreness or an ache in the affected muscle. Nerve pain is often described as a shooting, burning, or sharp pain, which can radiate to other parts of the body.
Other differences between muscle and nerve pain include pain progression. Unless you have a muscle tear or other severe injury, muscle pain generally feels better within a few days with rest and activity modification. Nerve pain doesn’t get better over time and may worsen without medical intervention.
Dr. De La Torre and our pain management team focus on the least invasive treatment to ease persistent pain that originates in the muscles or nerves.
Treatment for muscle pain might involve oral medications, physical therapy, and ice or heat therapy. You might also benefit from practicing relaxation techniques and getting a massage to reduce tension in overly tight muscles.
Nerve pain may respond to oral medications. However, if nerve pain persists, we may prescribe treatments like a selective nerve block or epidural injection. We also offer minimally invasive, radiofrequency ablation procedures to destroy damaged nerves that contribute to chronic pain.
We work closely with you to find the most effective treatment option to minimize pain and restore your wellness. Our providers also provide ongoing care to ensure your pain condition is well-controlled, so you can stay fit and active.
Call New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine in Wesley Chapel, Florida, today to schedule a consultation for chronic or severe pain. You can also book an appointment online.
