- Everyone has experienced muscle pain at some point, from everyday aches and pains to a major injury. There are different causes of muscular pain. Strains are an injury to a muscle or tendon (the tissue that connects muscle to bone). Sprains are an injury to a ligament (the tissue that connects different bones). Two types of muscular pain common to athletes and people who work out are muscle cramps and a burning sensation in their muscles.
- Muscle cramps are involuntary contractions of muscle. A common cause for athletes is what's called exercise-associated muscle cramping. These cramps are believed to be caused by inadequate stretching, muscle fatigue, lack of oxygen to the muscle, heat, dehydration or a lack of electrolytes. Treatment of the cramp depends on the cause. If it happens during physical activity, the pain often will stop if you rest. Some cramps can be treated by stretching the affected body part (such as the calf), or by massaging the affected body part. If the cramp is caused by dehydration, drinking water can help, though a sports drink or other drink containing electrolytes is better. Making sure that you're well-hydrated before physical activity can help prevent dehydration-related cramps.
- Another type of muscle pain that people feel, especially while exercising, is a burning sensation. The burning is caused by a buildup of lactic acid, which is a byproduct of the energy produced by muscle fibers. During strenuous exercise, the lactic acid builds, changing the acidity of the cell while causing fatigue, and then the burning sensation. The best way to deal with the burning sensation is to cut back the pace of your exercise, but continue to move around. This will keep your blood circulating at a greater volume, which helps with the removal of lactic acid from the muscles.
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