Statins, Muscle Pain & Real Prevention

What I’m Seeing Lately
This past year, I’ve seen a growing number of clients with severe back, hip, shoulder or leg pains that either started or markedly worsened after being placed on a statin for prevention. Many cases like these in the past took 1 to maybe 3 sessions at the most —but now the pain is much more severe. The culprit Statins, cholesterol lowering medications.  Especially Asians, lots of them.  (Back off the 2 bowls of rice dude!)
I’m not suggesting you stop your statins!  What I am suggesting: understand what might be going on, bring it up with your doctor, and work together on prevention through behavior change rather meds only.

Why Statins Can Affect Muscles

• Statins lower cholesterol by blocking an enzyme your body also uses to make Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)—a key nutrient for muscle energy and repair.

• This can lead to new soreness, weakness, or fatigue in the back, hips, or legs after statin initiation or dose change.

• A Japanese study titled “Assessment of statin-associated muscle toxicity in Japan” (Chang C-H et al., 2013) evaluated new users of statins and found a measurable incidence of muscle toxicity in Japan. PMC\

• Another Japanese pharmaco-epidemiologic study (Ooba N et al., 2014) found that among ~6,877 new statin users in Japan, muscle-related adverse events (like elevated CK) did occur.

If You’ve Developed Muscle or Back Pain Since Starting a Statin:

• Don’t stop the statin on your own. Talk with your doctor.

• Ask whether it’s worth checking vitamin D, thyroid, electrolytes, drug interactions, and the statin dose/type.

• Ask about CoQ10 supplementation. Some people find it helps with mild muscle pain (often ~100 mg/day) although evidence is not definitive.

CoQ10 in Plain Terms

•  What it does: Feeds energy to your muscles—think of it like oil for your muscle “engine”.

•  Why it matters: Statins can reduce CoQ10 production and thus may make muscle/tendon areas more vulnerable to soreness or fatigue.

•  Where it matters most: The musculotendinous junction (where muscle meets tendon) has high energy demands and may show symptoms first.

•  What the data show: Evidence is mixed but promising—some people on statins report improvement when supplemented with CoQ10 (while staying on their statin).

•  What to do: Talk to your doctor before adding CoQ10 (or any supplement). It’s not a replacement for your statin or foundational care.

Strong Emphasis on Prevention: SPACKLE, Gut, Motility & Colon Health

I believe the best prevention isn’t just pills—it’s what you eat, how you move, and how your gut works.

Why Gut Motility Matters:

• When the gut slows down, waste sits too long, which can irritate the colon lining, increase time for bacteria action, and raise risk of colon polyps or worse. Polyps can be a warning sign of future problems.

• Foods high in refined starches (white rice, white potatoes, processed grains, gluten-rich breads) can act like spackle in your gut—slowing motility, reducing fiber bulk, and limiting healthy movement of stool.

•  In contrast, fiber, resistant starch, hydration, and movement support gut motility, stool bulk, and a healthy gut environment.

Preventive Diet Hints:

• Food mixing. With each meal have a i.e. stalk of celery, apple or carrot.

• Look into a probiotic for gut support

• SUGAR, GLUTEN AND DAIRY, what else can I say unless you’re in Tuscany. Acts like spackle to the gut lining. (Food quality or lack of it is ridiculous)

• Keep hydration up and move your body daily (even light walking helps digestion and circulation). Try 6 bouts of 30 seconds bursts at a brisk pace during your walk.  Interval training is known to increase HGH production.

• See if you could get 2 good “Poops” a day.  Like my little pony. Remember baby’s go after every meal.

Meal Example:
Tactical Prevention Bowl
• ½ cup cooled brown rice (the “chilled” part adds resistant starch)
• 1 cup steamed carrots + celery
• 1 medium apple (skin on)
• 4 oz grilled salmon or chicken
• Drizzle of olive oil + a squeeze of lemon
• Drink ~12-16 oz water with the meal
This gives lean protein + good fats + fiber + a “gentler starch” base rather than heavy white rice or large white potato. It supports gut motility, avoids “spackle” starch loads, and is prevention-oriented.

Takeaway:

• If your muscle pain worsened after starting a statin—bring it up with your doctor. You’re not imagining it.

• Ask whether CoQ10 could be a helpful support for muscle/tendon health while on statins.

• The number one prevention strategy for heart, muscle, and colon health: diet + fiber + movement + gut motility.

• Focus on whole-food meals, fiber-rich plants, moving daily, and limiting heavy refined starches (“spackle” foods).

The Real Truth About Food and Digestion:

New cases per year as of 2022 of colorectal and stomach cancer combined would be the number #1 cancer.
Colorectal: 1.9 million new cases.
Stomach: 970,000 new cases.
Total: 2.87 million new cases.

Change of Season Investment:

Your gut is the gateway to immunity and lymphatic flow. Targeted visceral release along with lymphstar and laser therapy helps keep that system clear. A winter tune-up supports resilience and vitality through the colder months of travel and gatherings—a wise investment in maintaining exponential health at any age.

Clifton Matsuno PT