Muscular neuralgia is diagnosed in children and adults, depending on the provoking factor. Most patients go to the hospital with symptoms when the pathology is at an advanced stage. However, there is a risk of serious complications. Timely diagnosis and correctly selected treatment will help to avoid negative consequences.
Record content:
- 1 Provoking factors of muscle neuralgia, causes of development
- 2 Symptoms
- 3 Diagnostics
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4 Drug therapy in the acute stage
- 4.1 Warming ointments
- 4.2 Pepper plaster
- 4.3 Injections
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5 Non-drug therapy
- 5.1 Physiotherapy procedures
- 5.2 Physiotherapy
- 5.3 Surgical method
- 6 Complications of the disease
- 7 Video about neuralgia
Provoking factors of muscle neuralgia, causes of development
Muscular neuralgia is characterized by a pathological condition in which spasms and painful sensations appear, and the sensitivity of the muscles is also impaired.
There are numerous provoking factors that contribute to its development:
- diseases of the spinal column, in which there is compression of the nerve trunk by the surrounding tissues;
- neoplasms that affect nerve endings;
- trauma, mechanical damage;
- infectious disease of the human body (tuberculosis, herpes zoster);
- poisoning with poisonous substances, vapors of heavy metals, medicines or alcoholic beverages;
- hypothermia of the body;
- inflammatory processes;
- lack of B vitamins in the human body;
- bad habits (abuse of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and drugs).
Muscle neuralgia is also provoked by disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system. The same applies to cardiovascular diseases, in which nerve cells do not fully receive the necessary nutrition and oxygen. Characteristic symptoms appear that will help establish a diagnosis, choose an effective treatment and prevent serious complications.
Symptoms
The clinical picture that accompanies muscle neuralgia will allow the neurologist to determine the focus of pathological processes and the stage of their development. The symptomatology of the disease depends on the location of the muscle damage.
| Name | Symptoms |
| Intercostal neuralgia |
 Peripheral nerves that are located in the spaces between the ribs are affected. Pathological processes occur with the following symptoms:
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| Sciatic muscle neuralgia | Pathological processes often occur against the background of lesions of the spinal column in the lumbar region. The provoking factors are a tumor, trauma, hypothermia, or heavy physical exertion. The symptoms of sciatic nerve neuralgia are as follows:
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| Trigeminal neuralgia | The pathological condition is more often diagnosed in women over the age of 40. The symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia are as follows:
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| Neck neuralgia | Pathological processes often provoke osteochondrosis, gout, swelling. Due to the high mobility of the spinal column in the back of the head, muscle neuralgia occurs even in a healthy person. Inflammation or pinching of the occipital nerve can also cause draft, hypothermia, or sudden head movement. Symptoms of the pathological condition are as follows:
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| Postherpetic neuralgia | A special form of muscle neuralgia of infectious origin. Pathological processes are provoked by chickenpox. Postherpetic muscle neuralgia is often diagnosed in people with weak immunity, severe illness, and immune deficiency disorders. Symptoms of the pathological condition are as follows:
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| Facial muscle damage | Muscular neuralgia of the face manifests itself in most cases only on one side.  The patient is worried about the following symptoms:
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In any situation, it is necessary to consult a neurologist, since pathological processes arise for certain reasons, they must be established correctly and in a timely manner.
Diagnostics
Muscular neuralgia (symptoms and treatment will be helped by a neurologist) requires complex therapy in order to correctly determine the diagnosis and the area of localization of pathological foci. A complete examination of the patient will also allow differentiating the disease and drawing up the most effective therapy regimen.
Patients with muscle neuralgia are prescribed the following diagnostic measures:
| Name | Description |
| Electroneuromyography | The examination is assigned to the patient if the doctor suspects damage to the nerve trunk. |
| Computed tomography (CT) | The most informative diagnostic methods that visually help to establish the focus of the inflammatory process and its size. |
| Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) | |
| X-ray | The chest is examined for pathological changes. |
| Electrocardiogram (ECG) | The specialist evaluates the condition and functioning of the heart. |
| General analysis of urine and blood | Laboratory studies will help identify the inflammatory process, with the development of which the composition of the blood changes. |
In addition, patients, taking into account the results after the examination, may need to consult other specialized doctors (endocrinologist, cardiologist, vascular surgeon, otolaryngologist, dentist).
Drug therapy in the acute stage
Muscular neuralgia (symptoms and treatment require consultation with a neurologist and a thorough examination) is treated with complex methods. First of all, the patient is prescribed medications. They help relieve muscle spasm and soreness. It is important to strictly adhere to the prescription of a neurologist to reduce the likelihood of side effects.
| Drug group | Name | Application |
| Pain relievers | Analgin, Movalis | The drug reduces pain. Adult patients are prescribed by mouth 250-500 mg 2-3 times a day. The course of therapy depends on the person's condition and lasts an average of 3-5 days. |
| Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs | Indomethacin, Diclofenac | Medicines reduce the inflammatory process in the area of the damaged nerve and eliminate the swelling of the surrounding tissues along with painful sensations. The tablets should be taken orally after meals, washed down with a little water. The adult dosage is 25 mg 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment takes 4 weeks on average. |
| Muscle relaxants | Midocalm, Sirdalud | The drugs reduce skeletal muscle spasm, relaxing it and eliminating pain. Adult patients are prescribed 50-150 mg 3 times a day. If necessary, the drug is administered intramuscularly or intravenously. Inside, the medicine is recommended to be taken with meals, washed down with a little water. |
| Antispasmodics | No-Shpa, Papaverine | The medicine is taken orally in the form of tablets, intramuscular injection or through a dropper. The adult dosage is 0.04-0.08 g 2-3 times a day. |
| Sedatives | Novo-Passit, Afobazol | The medicine can be diluted with water or tea, and taken in pure form. The advantage of doing this is with meals. Adults are prescribed 5-10 ml 3 times a day, depending on the person's condition. |
| Diuretics | Hypothiazide, Lasix | Medication can help reduce swelling. The drug should be taken orally before meals, with a small amount of liquid. The standard dosage is 0.025-0.05 g 1 time per day. The course of treatment lasts 3-7 days. Then you need to take a break and continue therapy. |
Additionally, patients are prescribed vitamin and mineral complexes to increase the body's defenses and its resistance to pathological processes (Milgamma, Neurobion).
Warming ointments
Muscular neuralgia (symptoms and treatment will be determined by a neurologist) requires complex therapeutic measures. The effectiveness of local treatment is achieved through thermal exposure, as a result of which blood circulation is increased.
Aching painful sensations will help to eliminate special warming gels and ointments. In the area of the pinched nerve, not only nutrition is improved, but also tissue oxygenation occurs. Active active ingredients dilate blood vessels.
| Name | Application | Contraindications |
| Finalgon | The medicine is applied to the skin in 5-7 cm. With light massage movements, the product is rubbed into the skin with a special applicator. Cover the treated area with a woolen cloth on top. The ointment is applied to the affected area of the body 2-3 times a day for 10 days. |
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| Capsicam | The medicine is applied to the affected area of the body using a special applicator. Adults are prescribed 1-3 g 2-3 times a day. To increase the thermal effect, the treated area of the body is covered with a warm material from above. The course of treatment lasts 5-10 days. |
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In the complex treatment of muscle neuralgia, recipes of healers and healers can be used, but if the pathological processes are not a consequence of the formation of a malignant tumor. Treatment should be selected with a neurologist in order to exclude aggravation of the health condition and possible complications.
Pepper plaster
Modern medicine in the complex therapy of muscle neuralgia also invites patients to use special plasters. They are impregnated with drugs, it is recommended to fix them on the affected area of the body. The patches are irritating, warm, and relieve pain.
| Name | Application | Contraindications |
| Voltaren | The patch contains the active ingredient in the form of sodium diclofenac, due to which it quickly and permanently removes pain. The application is applied to the affected area of the skin, left for 24 hours. One patch is allowed per day. The course of treatment lasts 7-21 days, depending on the person's condition. |
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| Nanoplast | The patch is fixed on the affected area of the body without pretreatment for 12 hours. The course of treatment takes 3-6 days. Then you need to take a break for at least a week and continue therapy. |
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It is important, when using even a pepper patch, to adhere to the simple recommendations of the doctor or carefully read the instructions so as not to burn the skin. The healing effect is achieved by improving blood circulation and relaxing muscles.
Injections
Sharp and acute painful sensations require a drug blockade with injections (Novocaine). During medical procedures, the doctor injects the drug directly into the area of the affected nerve.
Medication blockade helps to get rid of painful sensations for a long time. Injections are resorted to in cases where other drugs in tablets have not helped to get rid of a strong syndrome.
Non-drug therapy
Muscular neuralgia (symptoms and treatment require a complete diagnosis) is treated comprehensively and provides for the auxiliary use of physiotherapeutic procedures. They contribute to the restoration of damaged tissues, eliminate pain syndrome and restore sensitivity.
Physiotherapy procedures
Treatment is prescribed to patients after the exacerbation period has subsided.
Patients are shown the following physiotherapy procedures:
- massage sessions to improve blood flow in the affected area of the body;
- manual therapy;
- acupuncture;
- acupuncture;
- magnetotherapy;
- laser treatment.
It is possible to relieve the symptoms of intercostal neuralgia with the help of tapes
For muscular neuralgia, warming with wormwood cigars, medicinal electrophoresis, paraffin and ozokerite applications, mud therapy are also recommended. All procedures contribute to the activation of metabolic processes and the regeneration of damaged tissues.
Physiotherapy
A complex of specially selected gymnastics for muscular neuralgia helps to strengthen the muscles of the corset, restore the mobility of the ribs, increase the body's endurance, and improve overall well-being.
In the course of performing therapeutic exercises, patients are advised to avoid sudden movements and turns of the body. Categorically refuse to lift weights and sit less, move more.
If severe painful sensations appear, stop classes and go to the hospital. Physiotherapy exercises are carried out in a well-ventilated area, in loose clothing and under the supervision of medical personnel.
Surgical method
Surgical intervention for patients is indicated in the case when a person does not feel better after drug therapy. The same applies to emergencies and cases where muscle neuralgia is already accompanied by serious complications. We are talking about extensive lesions, which are accompanied by severe pain, inflammation and impaired conduction.
Taking into account the patient's condition, the surgeon prescribes the most effective method of surgical treatment:
| Name | Description |
| Microvascular decompression | During the operation, the specialist removes the dilated blood vessel that puts pressure on the nerve endings. The surgeon places a pad between them.
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| Stereotactic surgery | A non-invasive therapy that uses highly concentrated beams. They are directed to the root of the nerve ending in order to interrupt the transmitted pain signal to the brain structures. |
| Percutaneous balloon compression | During the operation, a small balloon is inserted into the affected nerve and inflated, thereby blocking the pain impulse to the brain. |
The decision on the need for surgery is made by the attending physician, the surgeon.
Complications of the disease
Complications and negative consequences against the background of muscle neuralgia await a person without timely diagnosis and correctly prescribed therapy. The patient is concerned not only with the heaviness in the chest area, but also with severe shortness of breath. The gradual progression of pathological processes leads to damage to the spinal cord.
Muscular neuralgia is in some situations an independent pathology, but sometimes it arises as a complication after a certain disease. The symptoms that appear will help the doctor establish a diagnosis and prescribe the patient an informative examination to confirm it. Treatment is selected based on the results obtained.
Video about neuralgia
Malysheva on intercostal neuralgia:
