Bone Pain vs. Muscle Pain: What’s the Difference?

Have you ever woken up feeling like you went a few rounds with a heavyweight boxer in your sleep? Maybe the bones ache all over your body, or your muscles feel like they’ve been through a marathon (or given birth) — even though scrolling social media was the most intense activity you did last night. 

If you're wondering, “Why do my bones hurt?” or “Why do my muscles hurt?”, you're not alone. Understanding the difference between bone pain and muscle pain can help you get the right treatment and ease your discomfort. But it’s not always easy to tell — after all, your muscles and bones work together. Your muscles move your bones, and your bones can’t do much without your muscles. So, how do you figure out what’s really going on?

Here’s how to tell the difference.

The difference between bone pain and muscle pain

While both types of pain can leave you feeling miserable, they’re not the same thing. Knowing how to distinguish between them can make all the difference when it comes to treatment. Here is what they may feel like.

What does bone pain feel like?

Bone pain can depend on the specific part of the bone that’s impacted, and what is causing your pain. It tends to be sharp, deep, or dull and is often localized, radiating from a specific point. It may worsen with movement or pressure and can persist even at rest, especially at night.

Bone pain usually gets worse when you use or put pressure on the area and it can even ache when you aren’t using it, like at night. 

Bone pain can be acute, chronic, or diffuse, depending on what is causing it:

• Injury or fracture: Trauma or a broken bone is the most obvious culprit. The pain can be very intense initially, followed by a constant dull ache.
• Osteoarthritis: When the cartilage wears down, it leads to that classic “bone-on-bone” pain that feels like grinding gears in your joints.
• Osteoporosis: Weakening bones can lead to microfractures that cause chronic pain.

What does muscle pain feel like?

Muscle pain (myalgia), may be more familiar. It is often sore, throbbing, or cramping pain and usually happens after physical exertion (hello, leg day), strain, or overuse. Muscle aches can feel dull and throbbing, and you may experience tenderness when you touch or move the affected area.

Muscle pain can also be acute, chronic, or diffuse depending on the cause. Common causes of muscle pain include:

• Overexertion or strain: Exercising too hard or with improper form can strain your muscles.
• Injury or trauma: A pulled or torn muscle can cause localized pain and inflammation.
• Stress and tension: It’s common to store tension in your muscles. This can lead to overactive muscles and tougher points that cause pain 
• Viral infections: Flu and other viral infections often cause generalized muscle aches.
• Chronic conditions: Conditions like fibromyalgia can cause widespread muscle pain.

Comparing muscle pain vs. bone pain

Below is a quick comparison of bone and muscle pain to highlight the key differences:

Why do all my bones hurt?

When you feel bone pain all over your body, it can be alarming, but it’s not always a sign of something serious. In rare cases, widespread bone pain may point to underlying conditions, including:

• Vitamin D deficiency: Low vitamin D levels can lead to weaker bones and general aches.
• Osteomalacia: A more severe form of vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteomalacia, which may cause bone pain, muscle weakness, and increased fragility.
• Paget’s Disease: A bone condition that affects how bones break down and rebuilt, sometimes leading to bone pain or changes in bone shape.
• Metastatic cancer: In rare cases, cancer that has spread to your bones can cause persistent, severe pain.
• Bone infection (osteomyelitis): An infection that reaches the bones can cause localized pain and may be accompanied by other symptoms like fever.

If you’re experiencing ongoing or severe bone pain, it’s always a good idea to check in with a healthcare provider to determine the cause and find relief.

Why do all my muscles hurt?

Muscle pain all over your body usually comes from conditions that affect your entire musculoskeletal system. Some conditions that cause all-over muscle pain include:

• Fibromyalgia: Chronic pain and tenderness affecting multiple muscles.
• Inflammatory myopathy: Autoimmune conditions that cause muscle inflammation and weakness.
• Myofascial pain syndrome: Widespread muscular pain and trigger points, usually caused by overuse, mechanical trauma, and repetitive stress 
• Medication side effects: Some medications can cause muscle pain as a side effect, like statins for example.

Treatment for bone and muscle pain

Managing bone and muscle pain requires targeted strategies depending on the cause and severity. 

Treating bone pain

Bone pain often stems from fractures or conditions like osteoporosis. Treatment options depend on what is causing you pain and can include:

• Pain management: Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help with mild to moderate pain, while prescription medications may be necessary for severe cases.
• Supplements for bone health: Calcium and vitamin D support bone strength and reduce fracture risk.
• Physical therapy: Strengthening and stabilizing exercises improve mobility and prevent further injury.
• Surgical interventions: Surgery may be required for severe fractures or joint damage.

In rare cases, when bone pain is caused by a more serious condition, like cancer or infection, it’s important to seek medical care so that the underlying issue can be properly treated.

Treating muscle pain

Muscle pain is usually easier to manage and can often be treated at home. The right muscle pain treatment can also depend on the cause. Effective treatments may include:

• Rest and ice: Allow time for recovery and apply ice to reduce inflammation.
• Heat therapy: Heat promotes blood flow and relaxes tight muscles.
• Stretching and massage: Gentle stretching prevents stiffness, while massage relieves knots.
• Anti-inflammatory medications: NSAIDs can alleviate pain and inflammation.
• Hydration and electrolytes: Staying hydrated helps prevent muscle cramps.
• Physical therapy: A tailored physical therapy program can strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and prevent future injuries.

Taking a comprehensive approach ensures effective relief and promotes long-term musculoskeletal health.

When to see a doctor for bone or muscle pain

While occasional aches and pains are normal, persistent or severe pain needs a deeper look. See your doctor if you have:

• Persistent pain that doesn't improve with rest or medication.
• Limited range of motion in joints that interferes with daily activities.
• Localized swelling, warmth, inflammation, or other signs of infection like a fever.
• Instability or weakness in weight-bearing joints.
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in extremities, indicating possible nerve issues.
• Visible joint deformities.

Get relief from bone or muscle pain

Whether it’s a deep, relentless bone ache or soreness from that unexpectedly intense HIIT session, understanding the source of your discomfort is crucial. Identifying the cause empowers you to take the right steps toward healing. Your bones and muscles work hard for you — but you shouldn’t have pain. 

If your pain is sticking around, don’t wait to call in the pros — like the physical therapists at Origin Physical Therapy. They’ll get to the root of your pain and have you back to HIIT (or scrolling) pain-free in no time. Book your evaluation appointment today and get on the path to feeling better.