They all involve pain, tenderness and stiffness. There are a number of causes, but to some degree they all share inflammation and a resulting increase in the body's levels of free radicals.
Free radicals are toxic substances that are created as metabolic waste by our cells.
Countless more free radicals are produced during stresses to the body, including damage caused by over working muscles and joints, and from medical conditions such as arthritis and neuralgias. Inflammation also generates many free radicals. Inflammation affects the joints, muscles and soft tissues, causing pain, tenderness, swelling, stiffness, and redness or warmth in the injured area. In the body antioxidants are the agents that both destroy and neutralize free radicals to help reduce inflammation and relieve its symptoms. Antioxidants combat the oxidation and damage caused by free radicals.