Is it a muscle or Joint Problem?

A common question asked everyday. My answer is nearly always both. The muscles job is to move joints. A joint is where 2 bones meet together to either bend or glide. They are what allow us to move in all the ways we do. If we do something that we are not used to physically we usually get sore the next day. Like after exercise, gardening or lifting weights. This soreness last a day or 2 then goes away, this usually is muscle only pain. If the soreness or pain last more then 2 days there is most likely joint some joint involvement. The ligaments which hold the joints together could over stretch like when you roll your ankle after stepping in a pothole. This causes the joint to swell creating pressure on any passing nerves and restricting the movement of the joint.