Causes

By Mayo Clinic Staff

The most common causes of muscle pain are tension, stress, overuse and minor injuries. This type of pain is usually limited to just a few muscles or a small part of your body.

Muscle pain that is felt throughout your whole body is most often caused by an infection, such as the flu. Other causes include more-serious conditions, such as some diseases or health conditions that affect the muscles. Muscle pain also may be a side effect of certain medicines.

Common causes of muscle pain include:

  1. Chronic exertional compartment syndrome
  2. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
  3. Claudication
  4. Dermatomyositis
  5. Dystonia
  6. Fibromyalgia
  7. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
  8. Influenza (flu) and other viral illness (influenza-like illness)
  9. Low levels of certain vitamins, such as vitamin D
  10. Lupus
  11. Lyme disease
  12. Medications, especially the cholesterol medications known as statins
  13. Muscle cramp
  14. Muscle strains
  15. Myofascial pain syndrome
  16. Polymyalgia rheumatica
  17. Polymyositis (inflammatory disease that causes muscle weakness)
  18. Rheumatoid arthritis
  19. Sprains
  20. Too much or too little of electrolytes, such as calcium or potassium

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

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April 27, 2023

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