Sore Muscles Without Exercising? 7 Causes To Consider

Our body is made up of 600 muscles which help in proper functioning of the body.

Some muscles have autonomous functions, which cannot be controlled, while there are some that are controllable.

The medical term used for sore and painful muscles which vary in severity from mild, moderate, and severe pain is Myalgia.

Myalgia can affect any part of the body and can stay for weeks to months.

It is common to hear of muscle pain for a person who exercises and works out on a daily basis. Although, pain caused without any form of exercise can be linked to a medical condition.

Muscle pain and soreness usually affects only one muscle or a few muscles around a specific body part, caused mostly by stress, injuries, or overuse of muscle.

This can also be due to certain illness, infection, or by use of certain medications.

1. Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D receptors are widely present in most of the cells of our body.

Due to a lack of vitamin D in the body, these receptors tend to become hypersensitive leading to severe musculoskeletal pain.

This deficiency can also have a great impact on the structure of the bone, making them weak, brittle, and painful.

And since the bones and muscles are attached, it causes pain in the muscles as well.

It is important to get exposure from the sun for at least 15-20 minutes every day to maintain good health.

For those who are unable to get exposure through the sun, Vitamin D supplements are widely available.

Caption: Getting exposure from the sun for a while everyday is necessary.

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2. Iron Deficiency

Another common cause for muscle soreness without exercise is the deficiency of iron.

Iron deficiency can be easily cured in people by consuming foods like, fish, spinach, mushrooms, beans etc.

Muscle soreness and pain due to deficiency in iron is more likely to happen in women as they tend to lose a lot of blood during their menstrual cycle.

Maintaining good iron levels in the body is very necessary for people of all age group

3. Stress

Stress can also be a reason for muscle pain. When a person is under stress, the body releases stress hormones which are known to cause muscle tension.

So, those who have chronic stress, are likely to have their muscles tensioned all the time.

Relaxation techniques such as yoga and breathing exercises must be adopted to reduce stress levels.

4. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

                              Caption: A girl feeling tired and exhausted after completing her work.

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If signs and symptoms such as headaches, weakness, muscle pain and soreness, lack of concentration, extreme exhaustion last for a minimum of 6 months or longer in a person, they are said to have a chronic fatigue syndrome.

A healthy diet, lots of water, good sleeping habits and regular exercise can help overcome this syndrome.

5. Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a medical condition that affects the joints and other tissues of the human body and causes muscles to sore and ache.

For those dealing with fibromyalgia, depression, lack of sleep and anxiety are common problems.

Muscles of the back and neck are mainly affected in this condition.

There exists no definitive cure for this medical condition, although a healthy lifestyle combined with regular exercise and positivity can do great benefits.

6. Disuse Atrophy

This is another reason for muscles to sore up without exercise.

Disuse Atrophy starts developing as the muscles get weak, as the muscle tissue and tone get lost due to inactivity.

An inactive lifestyle is the common cause of disuse of muscle dystrophy. Patients put under bed rest for very long periods due to certain medical conditions also suffer from this.

7. Other Health Conditions

Dehydration can be a major reason for muscle pain. Keeping the body hydrated can prevent it from many such illnesses.

Common cold, flu also lead to muscle pain and soreness throughout the body.

When the body does not get the necessary vitamins and minerals from a balanced diet, such as potassium, magnesium etc it can cause muscles to sore up and pain.

It is generally advised to visit the doctor if the swelling or pain lasts for more than three days and signs of redness or some infection are evident.

For those leading a sedentary life must bring a change in their habits. Regular exercise, balanced diet, plenty of water, optimism and certain painkillers if required are more than enough to cure such pain in the body.