Why That One Stubborn Muscle Pain Might Actually Be a Nerve Issue

When Muscle Pain Doesn’t Go Away, It Might Be Time to Consider the Nerves Behind It

By Dr. Andrew Kakishita | Kinetic Chiropractic – Lehi, UT

When people come into Kinetic Chiropractic with chronic or stubborn muscle pain, one of the first things I ask is whether it changes with stretching or massage. If the pain keeps coming back—or doesn’t budge at all—there’s a good chance it isn’t just a muscle problem. It might actually be nerve irritation.

How Can a Nerve Cause Muscle Pain?

When nerves become irritated—either through compression, inflammation, or being tethered down—they can send pain signals that feel like deep muscular tightness or soreness. This type of pain often doesn’t respond well to traditional muscle treatments like stretching or foam rolling because the issue is actually in the communication between your nervous system and your muscles.

In other words: If the nerve can’t glide properly, it can make your muscles feel like they’re always “on.” That tension builds, leading to persistent discomfort, tightness, or even referred pain down an arm or leg.

What Causes Nerve Irritation?

Nerve irritation can stem from:

• Joint dysfunction

• Disc herniations or bulges

• Repetitive motion injuries

• Postural strain (especially common for desk workers)

• Scar tissue from old injuries

Muscle vs. Nerve: How to Tell the Difference

Here are a few clues that point toward a nerve issue rather than a muscle problem:

• Tingling, numbness, or burning sensations

• Pain that follows a specific nerve pathway

• Muscle weakness or fatigue without exertion

• Pain that doesn’t improve with stretching or massage

If any of these sound familiar, it might be time to evaluate the neuromuscular component of your pain.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

At Kinetic Chiropractic, we assess the health of your spine, nervous system, and soft tissues to get to the root of the problem. We use a combination of techniques that might include:

• Spinal adjustments to reduce nerve involvement

• Pin-and-stretch to release soft tissue entrapments

• IASTM (instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization)

• Nerve glide exercises

• Shockwave therapy for stubborn scar tissue or chronic inflammation

Bottom Line

If your muscle pain keeps coming back no matter what you try, don’t overlook the possibility of a nerve issue. Chiropractic care in Lehi can help address both the structural and soft tissue causes of pain—so you can get back to doing what you love.