Muscle pain

Anyone who suffers pain from bone metastases or nerve pain may overwork and strain muscles to try to "get around" the pain.

If you strain your back muscles, try a few days of complete bed rest and take NSAIDs (pronounced EN-seds), under a doctor's supervision. You can also try muscle relaxants, massage, heat or cold applied to the surface (depending on the problem and your circulatory condition), and strengthening of the muscles with guided exercise.

Widespread muscle (called myofascial) pains may occur. These are similar to the pain of fibromyalgia, a condition in which you feel overall body aches and fatigue. Treatments include tricyclic antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and massage. Acupuncture may also help.

The muscle connecting the shoulder to the chest may become stiff and tender from radiation therapy. Regular physical conditioning of this area, as well as yoga, will strengthen and stretch this muscle.