Difference Between Nerve Pain and Muscle Pain

The tingling and burning sensations of nerve pain are very different from the soreness and aches you might feel from muscle pain. Muscle pain is caused by a physical injury, such as a fall, and disappears once the injury has healed. It can also be treated with many common pain medications, including medicine you buy over the counter.

On the other hand, nerve pain doesn’t seem to be caused by any event or trauma and often results in a constant or recurring pain. Over-the-counter pain medicine isn’t strong enough to make nerve pain go away. Below is a short overview of what typically causes each type of pain, how long it lasts, and the symptoms of each type of pain.

NERVE PAIN

- often chronic, meaning it may last for 6 months or more
- caused by injury or disease to the nerves (for example diabetes or shingles)
- ranges from mild to severe
- pain is described as burning, tingling, sharp, stabbing (like pins and needles)

MUSCLE PAIN

- not chronic, or in other words the pain does not last very long
- caused by injury or inflammation that affects both the muscles and joints
- ranges from moderate to severe pain, but the pain disappears when the injury heals
- pain is described as tenderness, achiness, or stiffness

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Tags: Back Pain, Medical Questions