Nerve and Muscle Pain: What’s Causing It and How to Find Lasting Relief
Pain, especially when it’s deep, aching, sharp, or radiating, can be incredibly disruptive. It can keep you from sleeping well, enjoying daily activities, and feeling at ease in your body. Whether it stems from your nerves or your muscles, chronic or recurring pain deserves proper attention and care.
This guide explains the key differences between nerve and muscle pain, what causes them, how they affect your body over time, and what treatments, especially massage therapy, acupuncture, and infrared sauna, can help restore comfort and function. You’ll also learn how to prevent flare-ups and support healing at home.
What’s the Difference Between Nerve and Muscle Pain?
Understanding where your pain is coming from helps you get the right treatment.
Nerve Pain (Neuropathic Pain)
Nerve pain is caused by damage, irritation, or compression of the nerves. It’s often described as:
Burning
Shooting
Tingling or pins and needles
Numbness
Radiating down an arm or leg
Electric-shock-like
Hypersensitivity to touch
Common causes include:
Sciatica
Herniated or bulging discs
Pinched nerves in the neck or lower back
Diabetes (peripheral neuropathy)
Post-surgical nerve damage
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia
Traumatic injuries
When nerves are compressed or inflamed, they send pain signals even when there is no immediate injury. Over time, untreated nerve pain can affect your mobility, sleep, and mental health.
Muscle Pain (Myalgia)
Muscle pain is often the result of overuse, poor posture, tension, or injury. It’s typically described as:
Deep aching or soreness
Cramping
Stiffness or tightness
Tenderness in specific areas
Pain that increases with movement
Common causes include:
Repetitive movements
Poor body mechanics
Muscle strains or sprains
Tension and stress
Trigger points (knots)
Inflammation (like myositis or fibromyalgia)
Muscles can hold onto tension and inflammation, leading to ongoing discomfort and restricted movement if not addressed.
Why Early Treatment Matters
Both types of pain can become chronic if not treated. Over time:
Nerve pain can lead to numbness, muscle weakness, or loss of coordination
Muscle pain can lead to scar tissue, compensatory movement patterns, and joint strain
Getting care early helps prevent further dysfunction and reduces recovery time.
How Massage Therapy Can Help
Massage isn’t just relaxing—it’s one of the most effective therapies for both nerve and muscle-related pain. Here’s how it works:
For Muscle Pain
Massage relieves muscle pain by:
Reducing tension and tightness
Breaking up adhesions and trigger points
Increasing blood flow to aid tissue repair
Improving flexibility and mobility
Reducing inflammation
Techniques used may include:
Swedish massage for general relaxation and circulation
Deep tissue massage to target deeper layers of muscle and fascia
Trigger point therapy for specific knots that refer pain elsewhere
Myofascial release to gently stretch and loosen connective tissue
For Nerve Pain
While massage doesn’t “fix” nerve damage, it helps in these key ways:
Relaxes tight muscles that may be compressing nerves (like in sciatica)
Improves circulation to irritated nerve pathways
Reduces stress and inflammation that amplify nerve sensitivity
Encourages the body’s natural healing process
Important: The approach is more gentle for nerve pain, focusing on soothing, not deep pressure.
Complementary Therapies for Long-Term Relief
Pain relief is most effective when multiple therapies work together. At our clinic, we often recommend combining massage with:
Acupuncture
Acupuncture reduces pain by stimulating points along the body’s meridians. It helps to:
Release endorphins (natural painkillers)
Reduce inflammation
Improve nerve signaling and blood flow
Balance the nervous system
It’s especially helpful for:
Sciatica
Neck and back pain
Neuropathy and nerve sensitivity
Chronic muscle tension and fibromyalgia
Book your acupuncture session today!
Infrared Sauna
Infrared heat penetrates deep into muscles and tissues, which helps:
Improve circulation
Reduce stiffness and joint pain
Relieve muscle spasms
Detoxify the body
Relax the nervous system
Using the sauna before a massage helps loosen the body for deeper results, while using it after can soothe soreness and inflammation.
Tips for At-Home Relief
Daily habits matter—small steps can lead to zero pain over time. Support your recovery with:
Posture awareness – Use ergonomic chairs and take stretch breaks often.
Gentle movement – Walking, yoga, or tai chi help improve circulation and reduce stiffness.
Stretching – Focus on loosening tight areas, especially the neck, back, and hips.
Warm compresses – Apply to tight muscles for 10–15 minutes to ease tension.
Cold compresses – Great for nerve flare-ups or sudden, sharp pain.
Hydration – Keeps muscles flexible and helps flush out inflammation.
Magnesium – Supports muscle relaxation and nerve function.
Peppermint oil – A natural anti-inflammatory that soothes sore muscles and boosts relaxation. We use Young Living Peppermint Oil, available at our office or order online here.
Zero Pain Crème – A cooling, fast-absorbing lotion with Arnica and Boswellia, designed to relieve sore muscles and aching joints. Formulated with MSM to reduce inflammation and increase circulation. Try the Zen Organics Zero Pain Massage Crème, available at our office or order online here.
Need help knowing which self-care steps are best for your body? Ask us at your next visit—we’re here to guide you toward zero pain.
Ready to Find Relief?
Whether your pain is coming from nerves, muscles, or both, you don’t have to live with it. At Healing Solutions Inc., we provide custom care plans that blend massage therapy, acupuncture, and infrared sauna to support your body’s natural healing.
Book your massage session today and let us help you feel better—naturally and safely.
Let’s get you moving comfortably again.