What is Muscle Stiffness?

By Medicover Hospitals / 03 Mar 2021

Muscle stiffness, also known as muscle tension, rigor, or stiffness, is one of the most common causes of muscle pain. It is characterized by the inability of the muscles to relax normally. The condition can affect any of the muscles in the body, causing a sharp pain that makes movement difficult.

Muscle stiffness occurs when your muscles feel tight and you find it more difficult to move than usual, especially after rest. You may also have muscle aches, cramps, and discomfort.

This differs from the stiffness and spasticity of the muscles. With these two symptoms, your muscles remain stiff even when you are not moving.

Muscle stiffness usually goes away on its own. You can find relief with regular exercise and stretching. Sometimes, muscle stiffness can be a sign of something more serious, especially if other symptoms are present.

Causes of Muscle Stiffness

There are a variety of things that can cause muscle stiffness, including:

Exercise

A common cause of muscle stiffness is exercise or some type of strenuous physical work. Often, stiffness can occur when someone starts a new routine or exercise program or has increased the intensity and duration of their routine.

When this happens, the muscles are required to work harder, and this causes microscopic damage to the muscle fibers, resulting in stiffness or pain. This type of injury is sometimes called delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

DOMS may cause by any movement, but is usually caused by:

jogging or running downhill
using weights
doing squats
do push-ups

Sprains and strains

The most common cause of muscle stiffness is a sprain or strain, which can affect both muscles and ligaments.

A strain occurs when muscle fibers are stretched or torn. In the legs and lower back, strains are especially frequent.

A sprain is when the ligaments have been stretched, twisted, or torn. Ligaments are the bands of tissue around the joints that connect the bones.

Common areas prone to sprains include:

knees
ankles
dolls
thumbs

Polymyalgia rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica causes muscle pain and stiffness. The upper body, including the shoulders, spine, and arms, is commonly affected. It also commonly affects the hips. The average age of a person with polymyalgia rheumatica is 70 years old, and some people do not develop it until they are 80 years old. It is unclear the cause of the disease.

Bites or stings

Insect bites and stings can cause muscle stiffness occasionally. Bites or stings can also cause a red, swollen lump on the skin, which can be itchy and painful. Insects that commonly sting or sting and can cause muscle stiffness include:

wasps
hornets
bees
horseflies
ticks
mosquitoes
fleas
spiders
mosquitoes

Symptoms from a bite or sting will improve within a few days, but some people have allergic reactions that may require medical attention.

More severe infections, such as Lyme disease, malaria, or Rocky Mountain spotted fever, can also be associated with stiffness following an insect bite. These conditions may also cause other symptoms, such as fever and malaise.

Infections

Besides other effects, certain diseases induce muscle stiffness. These infections include:

Tetanus, a bacterial infection usually associated with dirt or soil
Meningitis, an infection of the brain and spinal cord
HIV
Legionnaires' disease
Polio
Mononucleosis or mono
Lupus
Influenza or flu

Additional causes

Other things that can lead to occasional muscle stiffness include:

lack of daily physical activity
being overweight
have a poor diet
not sleeping well
being in a cold or humid environment

Diagnosis of Muscle Stiffness

To diagnose muscle stiffness, your doctor will first request your medical history and perform a physical exam. They can also perform lab tests to look for muscle damage and rule out any possible underlying conditions that may cause muscle stiffness.

These tests can include:

Blood tests

which can help your doctor detect muscle damage and certain autoimmune disorders that can cause stiffness.

Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography,

which can reveal any bone abnormalities that may cause pinched nerves.

electromyogram

An electromyogram, which can help your doctor assess how well your muscles and nerves are working.

ultrasound

An ultrasound, which can help your doctor find tears and swelling in the muscle fibers.

Treatment of Muscle Stiffness

If muscle stiffness is a symptom of an underlying condition, a person will work with their doctor to come up with a treatment plan. A doctor can also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and discomfort.

Over-the-counter pain relievers work to relieve pain, although stronger medications can be prescribed.

If a drug causes stiffness, a doctor may adjust the dosage or prescribe an alternative.

Any basic home remedies for relaxation are available for most instances of muscle stiffness. These include:

resting until the body repairs itself
using ice or heat packs, or alternating between each
stretching to improve flexibility and circulation
take a warm bath or shower to promote blood circulation
massage the affected areas

When to visit a Doctor?

Most cases of muscle stiffness clear up on their own or with the help of home remedies, but prolonged or frequent stiffness can sometimes be a sign of an underlying condition.

If someone experiences muscle stiffness along with additional symptoms, such as fever, pain, dark urine, or swelling, they should speak to a doctor.

If a person experiences stiffness after an insect bite or sting, they should speak to a medical professional, especially if they have allergy symptoms.

People should always talk to a doctor about the bothersome side effects of the medications they are taking, including muscle stiffness.

A person must inform the doctor about all the symptoms they have, not just muscle stiffness, to get an accurate diagnosis.

Home Remedies of Muscle Stiffness

Home remedies are often effective in treating muscle stiffness caused by minor injuries, stress, or overuse. They may include:

Apply a warm compress or heating pad to the affected muscle to help relax stiff muscles.
Gently stretch your stiff muscle to help relax it.
Avoid strenuous activity that can make the muscle stiffen again.
Stimulate muscles to relax through massage, yoga, or tai chi.
Medical treatment
You will need medical treatment for any serious injury or underlying health condition that may cause muscle stiffness. Treatment will address the condition or injury first and then muscle stiffness.

Depending on the specific cause of your muscle stiffness, medical treatment may include surgery, medications, and physical therapy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does stiffness feel?

Stiffness is often associated with the slowness of movement (bradykinesia). It is often preceded by pain, stiffness, or a feeling of weakness in the muscles.

2. Can an infection cause muscle stiffness?

In addition to other effects, certain diseases induce muscle stiffness. These infections include tetanus, a bacterial infection usually associated with dirt or soil.

3. What Vitamin Deficiency Causes Muscle Stiffness?

In people of all ages, vitamin D deficiency can cause muscle aches, fatigue, and bone pain.