Pain can result from a sudden injury or can develop over time. We all have experienced pain after a fall or when we have hit our thumb with a hammer. Pain that develops slowly over time is also common. One medical study found that half of all Americans will experience muscle pain without injury that will require a visit to the doctor. So why do some of us develop pain with activities? Intermittent pain with activities is normal. Muscle action requires energy and burning energy results in waste products. Just like power plants, the left-over waste must be removed. When the energy requirements are greater than the body’s ability to remove the waste, muscle pain can occur. Changing your activities, chair position, room temperature, drinking water, or stretching may speed up you body’s ability to remove the waste and reduce the muscle pain faster. Sometimes we may choose to take an over-the-counter pain medicine, apply heat or cool, or see our doctor.