Common Causes of Muscle Stiffness

Muscle stiffness can feel like an ache or discomfort in the muscles. It may also resemble a feeling of the muscles “tightening” up.

Common Causes of Muscle Stiffness

While muscle stiffness may occur because of exercise or injury, altough it can also be the result of other factors such as an underlying condition or a side effect of some medications.

Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can impact almost any organ in the body. The disease can cause periods of flare-ups, when symptoms worsen, and periods of remission, when symptoms can improve.

Also, symptoms of lupus can vary between people. However, along with muscle stiffness, other possible symptoms of lupus include:

• Anemia
• Chest pain
• Fever
• Hair loss
• Kidney disease 
• Mouth sores
• Memory issues
• Pain in the joints or muscles
• Prolonged fatigue
• Rashes
• Sensitivity to light

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is transmitted to humans through tick bites. It’s the most common vector-borne disease in the United States.

If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause a variety of symptoms, including muscle aches and pains as well as neck stiffness.

Other symptoms may include:

• Arrhythmia, irregular heartbeat or palpitations
• Chills
• Dizziness 
• Episodes of shortness of breath
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Fever 
• Pain and swelling in joints
• Rash
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands or feet

Infectious Mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis is an infectious infectious disease that’s common among teenagers, young adults, and college students.

However, symptoms may occur slowly over time and may not all be present at the same time. Also, along with muscle stiffness and muscle aches, other possible symptoms include:

• Sore throat
• Extreme fatigue 
• Fever
• Swollen spleen
• Headache
• Swollen liver
• Rash
• Swollen lymph nodes in the armpits and neck

Symptoms may improve for some people in 2 to 4 weeks, but others may experience symptoms several weeks or even months later.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia can cause widespread pain all over the body.

While, along with stiffness and pain that can happen all over the body, other symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

• Anxiety
• Digestive problems
• Fatigue 
• Cognition difficulties
• Depression
• Headache or migraine
• Sleep difficulties
• Pain in the jaw or face
• Tingling or numb hands and feet

ADHD Medications

Although, some medications used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can cause muscle stiffness. Also, in some people, medications, such as dexmethylphenidate, can cause severe muscle stiffness and pain.

Polymyalgia rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a common cause of stiffness and aching across the body that occurs in people older than 50.

However, stiffness and aching because of PMR are most common in the:

• Lower back
• Neck
• Thighs
• Upper arms

Stiffness and pain may be worse in the morning.

Any time you have pain that concerns you, you should consider seeing a doctor or healthcare professional.

However, if you have muscle stiffness along with other symptoms such as fever, fatigue, sore throat, or headache, you should consider making an appointment to see a doctor.

Although, muscle stiffness can sometimes be because of exercise or injury, and this can often be managed at home without seeing a doctor. But there are times when you should see a doctor if stiffness or pain doesn’t improve, including:

• The pain prevents you from moving
• Your stiffness or pain lasts for longer than a week
• The pain is unbearable
• Your muscles are red, swollen, or warm
• The pain worsens when you exercise
• You’re experiencing pain in the joints, in the tendons, or over the bones.
• The pain is causing trouble breathing or dizziness

To diagnose the cause of muscle stiffness, a doctor will take a full medical history and ask questions about any potential injuries or exercises that may have contributed to muscle stiffness.

Additionally, they may perform a physical exam of the stiff muscles and order tests such as an MRI scan or X-ray.

Treatment of Muscle Stiffness

Although, it’s not always possible to prevent muscle stiffness, particularly if it’s because of an underlying condition. But there are some steps you can take to try to prevent stiff and sore muscles.

In fact, these include the following:

• Cooling down and stretching after exercise
• Drinking water
• Mot pushing yourself too hard when exercising
• Using proper technique when exercising
• Warming up properly before exercise

Stretches

Because stretching is important for keeping muscles flexible and preventing stiffness. Also, it can decrease muscle stiffness, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation.

Furthermore, instructions on how to stretch specific muscle groups include the following:

Thighs: Do quad stretches by standing up straight, bending one leg at the knee, and raising your foot toward your back. You can hold your foot or ankle with your hand for 10 to 15 seconds and then switch sides.