Muscle Aches: Causes, Symptoms, and When to See a Doctor

Waking up barely able to lift your arms after leg day, feeling it in your back after a weekend of yard work, or feeling aches throughout your body during a bout of the flu are all common experiences. Muscle aches, also called myalgia, are one of the most universal kinds of pain the body produces.

Most cases settle down within a few days of basic home care, but persistent or severe muscle pain can occasionally signal something that needs medical attention. This guide covers what causes muscle aches, how symptoms present, what a doctor visit typically involves, relief options at home, and the signs worth acting on.

Causes of Muscle Aches

According to MedlinePlus, the health information service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, most muscle aches trace back to a short list of causes.

Everyday Causes

• A sprain, strain, or other injury

• Overusing a muscle, especially without a proper warm-up or enough recovery time between activities 

• Everyday tension or stress, the same kind that can also bring on tension headaches

Less Common but Important Causes

• Certain medicines, including statins and some blood pressure drugs

• An electrolyte imbalance, such as low potassium or calcium

• Infections such as the flu or Lyme disease

• Underlying conditions such as fibromyalgia or lupus

Muscle Ache Symptoms to Watch For

Myalgia refers to pain that originates in the muscles. Because muscles work closely with tendons and surrounding connective tissues, discomfort may sometimes seem to involve nearby structures as well, per Johns Hopkins Medicine. It typically shows up as a dull ache, stiffness, tenderness to the touch, or temporary weakness, and where it shows up often points to the cause.

Localized Pain

• Limited to one muscle or muscle group

• Starts during or right after a specific activity

• Usually linked to overuse or a minor strain, per MedlinePlus

Whole-Body Aches

• Felt across several muscle groups at once

• Often paired with fever, fatigue, or general malaise

• More likely tied to an infection or a condition like lupus

If the discomfort centers on a joint rather than the muscle itself, that points more toward joint pain, which our Joint Health resources cover in more detail.

Easing Muscle Aches at Home

Rest, Ice, and Heat

• Rest the affected area and avoid pushing through the pain

• Apply ice for the first 24 to 72 hours to calm swelling, per MedlinePlus

• Switch to heat after that, which tends to feel more soothing

• Try an OTC option such as acetaminophen, including NOTTS® Muscle Aches & Pain, in the meantime

Habits That Help Prevent Muscle Aches

• Stretch before and after activity, and warm up and cool down around exercise

• Stay hydrated before, during, and after activity

• Take a short stretch break every hour during long stretches of sitting

• Work with a physical therapist or trainer if soreness keeps coming back

More self-care ideas are covered on the NOTTS® treatment blog.

When Muscle Aches Need a Doctor's Attention

Muscle Aches: Everyday Soreness vs When to Get Checked

Signs Worth a Phone Call

MedlinePlus recommends contacting a provider if any of these apply.

• Muscle pain lasts more than three days, or is severe or unexplained

• Swelling, redness, or warmth appears around the area

• Circulation seems poor in the area, such as in the legs

• A tick bite or rash shows up alongside the pain

• Pain started after beginning or changing a medicine such as a statin

Signs That Need Emergency Care

Call 911 for sudden weight gain or reduced urination, shortness of breath, muscle weakness or inability to move a body part, or vomiting with a stiff neck or high fever, per MedlinePlus. The CDC also flags severe muscle pain with dark, tea-colored urine and unusual weakness as warning signs of rhabdomyolysis, a rare but serious muscle breakdown that needs prompt care. If you're unsure whether your symptoms require medical attention, contact a healthcare provider for guidance. Additional product information is available on the NOTTS® FAQ page.

What Happens at the Appointment

A provider typically starts with a physical exam and questions about onset, location, and other symptoms, per MedlinePlus. They may order blood tests such as a complete blood count or a creatine kinase test to check for muscle damage.

The Formulation Behind NOTTS® Muscle Aches & Pain

NOTTS® Muscle Aches & Pain is built around 650 mg of acetaminophen per caplet in an extended-release formula. It is marketed under the FDA's OTC Monograph system and listed in the National Library of Medicine's DailyMed database under NDC 82706-008, a public record most recently updated. 

It is meant for adults and children 12 and older, and its own FDA label advises stopping use and checking with a doctor if pain lasts more than 10 days or gets worse, the same caution echoed by MedlinePlus above. It is aspirin-free and alcohol-free, and sits alongside a focused NOTTS® lineup, including Tension Headache relief, Extra Strength, and Pain Relief PM for nighttime symptoms.

Managing Muscle Aches Safely 

Most muscle aches settle down with a few days of rest, ice or heat, and an OTC option close by, while a smaller number are the body flagging something that needs a doctor's attention. Tracking how long the soreness lasts and how it responds to home care can help you decide when it's time to seek medical advice. 

When used as directed, NOTTS® Muscle Aches & Pain may be an option for temporary relief of minor muscle aches and pains. For additional self-care tips, explore the NOTTS® treatment blog and other resources. 

Disclaimer. This content is educational and does not replace advice from a healthcare professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between muscle aches and rhabdomyolysis?

Ordinary muscle aches ease within days. Rhabdomyolysis causes severe pain with dark urine and needs immediate medical care.

Are muscle aches contagious if a virus is causing them?

No. The muscle aches themselves aren't contagious, though a viral infection causing them, like the flu, can spread to others.

How fast does NOTTS® Muscle Aches & Pain start working?

Timing varies by person, but extended-release acetaminophen products are designed to provide longer-lasting relief when used as directed.