Muscle Pain or Nerve Pain? How Physiotherapy Can Help in Calgary
Physiotherapist’s Guide to Muscle vs. Nerve Pain Avenue Physio, Downtown Calgary
Pain is one of the most common reasons people come to Avenue Physio, a trusted physiotherapy clinic in downtown Calgary, but not all pain is the same. Muscle pain and nerve pain feel different, behave differently, and respond to different types of treatment. Knowing which one you’re dealing with is the first step to getting the right care and lasting relief.
“I have pain going down my leg. Do I have sciatica?”
It’s a question we hear all the time. Radiating pain can be alarming and confusing, and it’s our job to help you understand what’s really going on.
Because both nerves and muscles can cause pain that radiates down the limbs, it’s important to understand the difference, as the symptoms can easily be confused.
The images below show how both the infraspinatus (rotator cuff muscle) and the C8 nerve refer to the exact same areas. So how do we figure out where this pain is coming from?
If we just focus on where the pain is we won’t be able to differentiate where it is coming from. We must know how it feels, what makes it worse, what makes it better.
How Muscle Pain Feels (and What Causes It)
Muscle Pain – Dull, aching, or sore – Feels tight, stiff, or heavy – Usually stays local but can spread into an arm or leg – Tender to touch or stretch – Worsens with movement, overuse, or poor posture
Not necessarily. Muscle pain often refers to other areas of the body. For example: – The infraspinatus muscle (part of your rotator cuff) can develop trigger points – These trigger points can refer pain all the way down the arm – There may be no nerve compression at all
We get this a lot. Muscle pain, especially myofascial (trigger point) pain, can be just as intense, sometimes even more persistent, than nerve pain.
Why It Feels Worse at Night: – Muscles stiffen when you’re inactive – Your sleeping position might compress the trigger point – With fewer distractions, pain feels louder – Referred pain can feel deeper or more serious than it is
What Is Nerve Pain? Calgary Physios Explain
Nerve Pain –
- Sharp, burning, or shooting
- Feels electric or zappy
- Often radiates down an arm or leg
- May include numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Worsens with certain positions or even at rest
Why Nerve Pain Feels Numb or Tingly:
Nerves carry signals between your body and brain. When a nerve gets compressed, irritated, or inflamed, that signal can become disrupted:
- Tingling = the nerve is misfiring
- Numbness = the nerve isn’t sending enough signal
- Zapping = the nerve is sending exaggerated messages
Why Nerve Pain Feels So Intense:
- Nerves amplify pain when they’re inflamed
- The pain can travel down the entire nerve pathway
- The brain sometimes interprets minor irritation as a major threat
Causes of Muscle Pain vs. Nerve Pain
Common Causes of Muscle Pain:
- Overuse or overload
- Muscle imbalance or weakness
- Trigger points or tight fascia
- Minor muscle strain
Common Causes of Nerve Pain:
- Herniated or bulging disc
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing around the nerve)
- Nerve entrapment (e.g., at the shoulder, hip, elbow)
- Diabetes or systemic conditions
- Prolonged movements in irritating positions when your body isn’t strong enough to support them
How We Diagnose Muscle vs. Nerve Pain at Avenue Physio
At Avenue Physio, we start with a detailed conversation and one-on-one assessment.
Your story gives us essential clues:
- What the pain feels like (burning, aching, numbness)
- Where it travels (local vs. down a limb)
- When it flares up (with movement, at rest, while sitting)
- What makes it better or worse
Then we perform a thorough physical exam:
- Posture & Observation: symmetry, swelling, protective movement
- Range of Motion (both active and passive): how your joints and muscles move
- Resisted Testing: how your muscles respond to pressure
- Palpation: feeling for tenderness or trigger points
- Neuro Screen – reflexes, sensation and strength
Muscle vs. Nerve Pain – At a Glance
Treatment of muscle pain vs. Nerve Pain
At Avenue Physio, our treatments are 100% one-on-one and based on what your assessment reveals. Whether it’s muscle or nerve pain, your care plan is tailored to your specific needs.
Component | Muscle Pain Treatment | Nerve Pain Treatment |
Manual Therapy | Soft tissue release, massage, trigger point therapy | Nerve mobilizations (flossing/gliding), gentle decompression |
Needling Techniques | Dry needling/IMS for trigger points | Used cautiously; may not be appropriate if nerve is inflamed |
Exercise Focus | Strengthening weak or overloaded muscles | Neural mobility exercises, graded exposure |
Pain Provocation | May temporarily tolerate discomfort in trigger areas | Avoid provoking nerve-related symptoms like zapping/numbness |
Treatment Goal | Loosen tight muscles, restore balance & mobility | Calm nerve irritation, restore normal signaling |
While both types of pain respond well to physiotherapy, accurate assessment is crucial, treating nerve pain like muscle pain (or vice versa) can make symptoms worse. At Avenue Physio, we tailor each plan to your specific presentation to get the best possible outcome.
Treating nerve pain like muscle pain can actually make it worse. That’s why an accurate assessment is so important
When to See a Physiotherapist in Calgary
If you’re not sure whether your pain is coming from a muscle, a nerve, or both, don’t wait. The earlier we assess and treat the issue, the better your results.
Avenue Physio has helped thousands of Calgarians move and feel better since 1984. Book a one-on-one appointment with our expert team in downtown Calgary to get answers—and relief.
FAQs – Muscle vs. Nerve Pain
How do I know if my pain is coming from a nerve? If you feel burning, tingling, numbness, or pain that travels down an arm or leg, a nerve may be involved. A physiotherapist can confirm this through assessment.
Can muscle pain feel like nerve pain? Yes—trigger points in muscles can refer pain down the arm or leg and mimic nerve pain. That’s why expert assessment is key.
Do I need imaging before seeing a physiotherapist? Not usually. Physiotherapists can assess and treat most muscle and nerve conditions without needing imaging first.