Causes Of Burning Muscle Pain
A burning muscle pain can be the result of a number of things ranging from overexertion, to one of several disorders, bursitis, or disease, most of which are rather rare. The most common experience most people have with burning muscle pain is during the latter stages of and following a heavy workout, or running. In such activities "getting a burn" is usually considered a good thing, as it means the muscles are being pushed to the point where, although becoming tired, they are at the same time becoming stronger.
One of the characteristics of muscle burning pain when working out is that of the after burn. Burning muscle pain does not necessarily cease when the activity ceases, though it tends to, but may return the following day, the muscle's way of telling us a little additional rest is in order. This is one of the reasons weightlifters and bodybuilders vary their exercise program from day to day, to give muscles needed rest. In fact, when preparing for an athletic event, or simply getting into shape, the same exercises should not be performed day after day. Part of the reason is one wants to work various muscle groups in different ways, and you can't do everything at once. A second reason is the danger of boredom if the same routine is followed day after day, and the third, as mentioned, is to give muscles a rest and not risk overexertion to the point where muscle is damaged.
Fibromyalgia - Burning muscle pain is not always a "good" thing as it can be the symptom of a disorder or of a disease. One of the more common disorders which can cause a burning sensation at various places in the body is fibromyalgia. When one suffers from fibromyalgia, the burning will usually be experienced in rather specific places on the body, most commonly in the neck, shoulders, lower back, and hips. In some instances a burning pain may be experienced all over. Medications may be taken to relieve or diminish the pain but are usually not successful in getting rid of the pain altogether.
Uncommon Causes - There are several diseases that can cause burning muscle pain. Most of them fortunately are quite rare, and often involved disease or damage to nerves or the central nervous system. One of these is simply referred to as CNS, Central Pain Syndrome, which is the result of damage to the spinal cord, brain stem, or the brain itself. CNS often produces a mixture of pain sensations, one of them being burning muscle pain.
Another disease, Meralgia paresthetica affects the thigh and results from nerve pressure, entrapment, or damage in the region of the upper thigh. Meralgia paresthetica is somewhat rare, and most often involves a numbing sensation in the upper thigh, but burning muscle pain can also be experienced. This condition is very often only temporary and rest is the most common form of treatment. The symptoms however are similar to some of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, indicating if the condition persists, tests for MS might be in order. Mononeuritis multiplex and Neuropathic pain are two other rare conditions causing burning sensations and are the result of nerve damage.
Various Injuries And Disorders - Injuries to muscles and joints can be another cause of burning pain. Injuries or overexertion in the shoulder blade and upper back can result in a burning sensation, although an aching pain is probably more common. Burning muscle pain is quite often a symptom of a rotator cuff injury. One of the strangest causes of a burning muscle pain in the shoulders is gall bladder disease, which would seem to have little to do with the shoulder. This type of a situation is medically known as a "referred" pain. Other disorders such as heart disease and osteoporosis of the spine also tend to refer pain to the area of the shoulder and shoulder blade.
Bursitis was mentioned earlier as one of the causes of burning muscle pain. Bursitis is an inflammation of one or more of the bursa, the fluid filled sacks that lubricate tissues in the body, primarily tendons. Bursitis symptoms include joint and tendon pain often experienced as burning muscle pain.