Could Your Muscle Pain Be Linked to Statins?
As osteopaths, we’re trained to look at the bigger picture — not just where something hurts, but why. And sometimes, the reason isn’t musculoskeletal at all.
This week, I saw a long-standing patient who’s been struggling with muscular pain for over two years. Her main complaint was persistent discomfort in the front of her right thigh — localised muscular pain with some swelling, but no clear injury to explain it. She'd already been through X-rays of the knee, an ultrasound scan of the area, and multiple therapy sessions, but nothing offered a definitive answer.
More recently, under the guidance of her pharmacist, she stopped taking her statin medication as a short-term trial. Within just six days, her symptoms dramatically improved.
This isn’t the first time I’ve seen something like this in clinic. While statins are a lifesaving medication for many — widely prescribed to reduce cholesterol and lower cardiovascular risk — they are also known to cause muscle pain in a small but significant number of patients. This side effect can be under-recognised, especially when the symptoms are vague or mimic other musculoskeletal issues. It is not within our professional remit as osteopaths to advise on medications such as dosage or stopping altogether — that responsibility lies with your GP or pharmacist. However, we can share clinical observations and suggest when it may be appropriate to seek medical advice, especially if symptoms aren’t responding as expected.
When Pain Doesn’t Follow the Usual Pattern
Muscle-related statin side effects can include:
Muscle soreness or fatigue
Localised aches or cramping
Weakness or tenderness
Swelling in the absence of injury
In this patient’s case, the pain pattern didn’t quite fit with a typical mechanical diagnosis — which is why this recent change in medication stood out so clearly when her symptoms improved.
What Are Statins, and Why Are They Prescribed?
Statins are a group of medications commonly prescribed to help lower cholesterol levels in the blood. They work by blocking an enzyme in the liver called HMG-CoA reductase, which the body uses to produce cholesterol. By reducing cholesterol production — particularly “bad” LDL cholesterol — statins help to slow the build-up of fatty deposits (plaques) in the blood vessels.
Over time, this helps to:
Lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes
Improve blood flow
Reduce strain on the cardiovascular system
Statins can be essential to maintain cardiovascular health.
Who Are Statins Prescribed For?
Statins are typically prescribed to people who:
Have been diagnosed with high cholesterol
Have had a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular event
Are considered at high risk of cardiovascular disease due to factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, family history, or lifestyle
In many cases, statins are a lifesaving, long-term medication, and for most people, they are well tolerated with minimal side effects. However, as with all medications, some individuals may experience side effects — and in a small percentage, this includes muscle-related symptoms, which may mimic or complicate musculoskeletal pain patterns.
What Should You Do If You’re Concerned?
If you’re experiencing persistent muscular pain — especially if you’ve been on statins for a while — it’s worth having a conversation with your GP. Never stop or adjust your medication without medical advice. Statins play a vital role in protecting your heart health, and any changes to your prescription must be considered carefully alongside your wider medical history.
But if your pain seems unexplained, unresolved by usual therapies, and doesn’t follow the usual mechanical patterns we expect as osteopaths, this is something we may discuss with you during your appointment.
Sometimes, the answers lie outside the spine or joints — and sometimes, they lie in the fine balance between medication, health, and function.
📍 The Waterside Practice – Warboys, Huntingdon
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