Unexplained muscle pain in the arms and legs may be the result of benign issues. Or it may point to a more serious underlying condition, such as fibromyalgia, infection, or thyroid issues.
Muscle pain can make it more difficult to move the arms or legs. It can lead to feeling stiff, or the pain may be sharp or more of a dull ache.
If an underlying condition is present, a person will likely need to seek treatment for the cause to find relief.
Several common reasons may explain why arms or legs hurt for no apparent reason.
Overuse
Unlike acute injuries, overuse injuries
Instead, injuries to the muscles, joints, or ligaments in the arms or legs occur from repeatedly performing a repetitive task.
Strength training injuries
Following a day of upper or lower body strength training, the muscles in the arms or legs may be painful. A person may also experience a limited range of motion or discomfort when going about their tasks.
This type of pain may occur from lifting weights that are too heavy.
It may also occur due to muscle tears or other injuries. According to the results of a
Stress
Stress causes muscles to become tense in almost a reflexive reaction. Sudden onset stress can cause muscles to tense for the duration of the stressful event, and they will generally relax once it passes.
Long-term (chronic) stress can cause the muscles to be in a constant state of tension. This can lead to aches and pains, such as in the upper extremities or lower back.
Doing a new or a prolonged activity
Muscle aches can occur following a new activity or after a prolonged activity. For example, a person’s legs may get sore if they walked a long distance the day before, or their arms may get sore from painting all day.
This may also occur when muscles have not been used, or when a person starts a new workout routine or returns to workouts after a long break.
In some cases, muscle aches may not be due to common issues such as stress, overuse, or minor injury. Several underlying medical conditions can cause muscle aches in the arms, legs, or other areas of the body.
Some possible underlying conditions that may cause aches and pains in the arms or legs include:
- fibromyalgia
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- myofascial pain syndrome, which causes fascia or inflammation in the connective tissue and may last
6 months or moreTrusted Source - thyroid issues, including both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism
- infections, such as the flu, polio, or bacterial infections
- hypokalemia or low potassium
- autoimmune disorders, including dermatomyositis, polymyositis, or lupus
- side effect from use of certain medications or drugs, such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, statins, or cocaine
Many underlying conditions may also cause additional symptoms. A person may consider speaking with a healthcare professional if they experience unexplained muscle pains in the arms or legs in addition to other symptoms.
Long-lasting pain may also be a reason for concern and may warrant speaking with a healthcare professional.
Many of the underlying conditions causing pain in the muscles of the arms or legs may also cause additional symptoms.
For example, both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome
- trouble sleeping
- body-wide pain
- stiff joints and muscles
- sensitivity to light, noise, or other senses
- tender to the touch
- numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
- digestion issues
- difficulty with thinking clearly or memory
Thyroid issues
Treatment for unexplained muscle pain in the arms and legs will vary depending on the cause.
If no other symptoms are present and a person suspects a benign underlying cause, self-treating muscle pain with over-the-counter (OTC) medications and therapies can be helpful.
Some options include:
- icing or heating sore muscles
- taking OTC pain medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- resting the muscles
- light stretching
- avoiding strenuous activities or ones that may have caused the pain
If stress may be the underlying cause, a person can try one or more of the following strategies to
- getting into a regular sleep cycle that allows an adequate amount of sleep
- doing regular exercise
- keeping a journal
- identifying negative thoughts and stressors
- eating nutritious, regular meals
- trying meditative strategies or exercises, such as breathing exercises or yoga
A person who suspects that an underlying health condition is causing pain in their arms and legs may discuss their concerns with a healthcare professional. Taking steps to treat the underlying condition can help ease symptoms of pain in the arms or legs.
Read about stress-reduction strategies.
Not all pain in the arms or legs is due to benign conditions, such as overuse or unexpected or prolonged activity.
Some signs that muscle pain may require the attention of a healthcare professional include:
- presence of a fever
- pain that occurs shortly after a change in medications
- pain does not go away after several days of home therapy
- pain is severe with no clear cause
- presence of other symptoms, such as a rash, fatigue, or others
- pain following a tick bite
A person
Is it a heart attack?
Heart attacks occur when there is a lack of blood supply to the heart. Symptoms include:
- chest pain, pressure, or tightness
- pain that may spread to arms, neck, jaw, or back
- nausea and vomiting
- sweaty or clammy skin
- heartburn or indigestion
- shortness of breath
- coughing or wheezing
- lightheadedness or dizziness
- anxiety that can feel similar to a panic attack
If someone has these symptoms:
- Dial 911 or the number of the nearest emergency department.
- Stay with them until the emergency services arrive.
If a person stops breathing before emergency services arrive, perform manual chest compressions:
- Lock fingers together and place the base of hands in the center of the chest.
- Position shoulders over hands and lock elbows.
- Press hard and fast, at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute, to a depth of 2 inches.
- Continue these movements until the person starts to breathe or move.
- If needed, swap over with someone else without pausing compressions.
Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) available in many public places:
- An AED provides a shock that may restart the heart.
- Follow the instructions on the defibrillator or listen to the guided instructions.
Unexplained muscle pain in the arms or legs may be due to benign reasons, such as overuse or minor injury. In some cases, it may be due to an underlying health condition.
If a person experiences pain in their arms or legs that does not go away within a few days of home treatments or that is accompanied by other symptoms, they may consider seeing a healthcare professional.
Treatments often involve rest, ice, and pain medications. In the case of an underlying condition, a person may also find relief by treating the underlying condition.
