Abstract
Myalgia is a relatively common symptom that can have a wide variety of causes. Myalgia is defined as muscle pain without abnormal contraction and must be distinguished from muscle spasms and pain caused by joint, skin and visceral pain.
From the clinical point of view, the distribution of generalized and localized myalgia is useful in forming a differential diagnosis. The basic step in the search for possible etiology is a careful medical history and physical examination.
Awareness of differential diagnosis of myalgia, including consideration of relatively frequent and often neglected diagnoses, such as rheumatic polymyalgia and fibromyalgia, together with the rational use of investigative methods, will allow a significant proportion of patients to diagnose and initiate adequate treatment