My legs hurt as if I had muscle soreness

Feeling pain should not be normal or something to endure stoically. This is especially true if the pain is in the legs and feels similar to muscle soreness. In most cases, it results from physical activity of greater intensity than usual, although there are various alternative causes that should be analyzed to apply the appropriate treatment for each case.

Causes of muscle pain in the legs: before and after training

Before analyzing the source of the pain on your own, it is advisable to see a medical professional and undergo the relevant diagnostic tests. However, there is a key parameter to differentiate the causes of discomfort: whether they occur before or after exercising.

Muscle overload

When the activity threshold that muscles are prepared to handle is exceeded, overload can occur. In this case, in addition to pain, stiffness in the affected muscle may be noticed. If these symptoms appear for the first time, a total or active rest of 4 or 5 days, which can be complemented with massages and therapeutic creams, is enough to recover.

Muscle soreness

As mentioned, high-intensity training can damage muscle fibers, which allows the muscle to grow when these fibers recover. This process causes a sensation of soreness, which carries no risk to physical health and can be reversed with simple active rest.

Muscle contracture

For the same reasons as overload and soreness, a muscle contracture can appear. This is an involuntary contraction of the muscle that causes pain, inflammation, and difficulty moving the area while it lasts. Sometimes, it can affect the surrounding muscle area and, if it occurs in a superficial area, it may appear as a lump.

Mineral deficiency

So far, causes related to training and physical activity have been mentioned. However, there are also chemical causes, such as nutritional deficiencies. Insufficient levels of calcium, magnesium, potassium, or sodium directly affect muscle recovery and cause muscle cramps. A varied and healthy diet is the best ally to avoid mineral deficiencies.

Muscle injury

This is one of the worst scenarios: muscle injury. A sharp pain is a clear indicator of injury, such as a muscle tear, and the severity depends on the extent of the rupture. It is especially recommended to see a physiotherapist and start the corresponding treatment. Unlike overload, a superficial tear can be felt as a groove.

Poor blood circulation

Lack of exercise or genetic problems can cause difficulty returning blood from the legs to the heart. If the problem is not addressed in time and leg circulation is improved, conditions such as varicose veins or, in the worst case, venous thrombosis that can lead to a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism may occur. In the early stages, poor blood circulation manifests as a sensation of heaviness and swelling similar to muscle soreness.

Reasons for leg pain without training

Poor blood circulation is just one example of possible causes of leg pain unrelated to physical training. These causes are very varied and require evaluation by a medical specialist, as symptoms may be more serious.

• In children and adolescents, due to bone growth.
• Arthritis or osteoarthritis.
• Sciatic nerve pain.
• Myositis, inflammation of the muscles.
• Tenosynovitis, inflammation of the sheath lining surrounding the tendon.
• Thigh abscess.
• Spinal disorders, such as stenosis, spondylolisthesis, or herniated disc.
• Fibromyalgia.
• Mononucleosis.
• Flu.
• Lyme disease.

What to do if my legs hurt as if I had muscle soreness?

If the soreness-like pain persists for more than a week, it is necessary to see a doctor. Especially if it prevents or makes it difficult to exercise or even walk. The healthcare professional will determine which diagnostic tests should be performed and will be able to decide the treatment to follow. Before that, to rule out simple muscle soreness, it is advisable to apply cold to the area. If the pain does not reduce significantly, it is not muscle soreness.