11 Home Remedies To Treat Muscle Aches

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Muscular ache is a common problem that every one of us encounters at some or other point in our life and it occurs in any part of our body like the legs, hands, arms, feet etc. The pains can range from being mild, moderate to severe. Muscle ache can be the result of any injury or trauma to the muscle, overuse or over stress of the muscle, tension or anxiety or due to some medical conditions. There are some effective home remedies to relieve muscle pain naturally. Sometimes muscle pain occurs due to vigorous exercise. In this case there is more need of oxygen to our body. To compensate with the higher oxygen need, there is anaerobic respiration in muscles, which leads to lactic acid accumulation. This lactic acid cause fatigue and pain in muscles. Normally lactic acid will break down and muscle pain will go but it can take few days. Luckily, we have some natural home remedies to relieve muscle pain.

How to relieve muscle pain after working out and what's good for sore muscles? Today, Boldsky will share with you some amazing home remedies to alleviate any kind of muscle aches.

Massage With Essential Oils

Essential oils act as anti-inflammatory, analgesic and therefore a massage with essential oil acts effectively in relieving muscle pains. The massage increases the blood circulation to the muscles giving warmth to it and also helps in dispersing the built up lactic acid whereas the oil relaxes the muscle and relieves the pain. Aroma of the essential oils helps in deep relaxation a natural healing of the body. Oils like pine, lavender, ginger and peppermint prove to be very useful in reducing muscle pain.

Epsom Salt Bath

Epsom salt or magnesium sulphate is a naturally occurring mineral that reduces inflammation of the muscle tissues and relieves muscle pain. It also reduces muscle pains in chronic condition like fibromyalgia. For the bath add 1-2 cups of Epsom salt to a standard size bath tub filled with warm or hot water and relax in it for 15-30 minutes. The bath helps to relieve the muscle pains and cramps, relax the body and ease the stress. This is how to relieve muscle pain after working out.

Cold Therapy

It is one of the best home remedies to relieve muscle pain. Cold therapy also known as cryotherapy includes applying ice or cold to the injured site to get relief. It is often used to reduce muscle pains resulting from acute sports injury. Applying ice pack or cold to the injured site slows down the blood circulation of that part resulting in reduction of pain and inflammation. It also reduces muscle spasm and internal bleeding that may follow muscle strain. Ice packs, ice massage, gel packs, chemical cold packs, vapocoolant sprays are some of the methods to apply different forms of cold therapy.

Heat Therapy

Heat therapy is used to treat pains in chronic conditions such as sprains or strains, muscle spasms and muscle stiffness. Its best to avoid heat therapy in acute injuries as it may increase the swelling and cause discomfort. Heat relieves muscle pain, reduces muscle spasm and relaxes tense muscles. Heat also helps in healing muscle injury by increasing the blood flow of the affected part. Heat therapy includes two types of therapies, deep heat therapy and superficial heat therapy. Deep heat therapy includes ultrasound and shortwave and microwave diathermy whereas superficial therapy includes hot packs, infrared heat, paraffin wax and hydrotherapy. You can also visit a physiotherapist for these treatments.

Warm And Cold Bath

Exposing the sore part to alternate warm and cold water bath helps in fast relief of pains. It improves blood circulation of the affected part, reduces the swelling and pain. The cold bath numbs the painful part and relieves pain whereas hot bath relaxes the muscle, reduce spasm and stress level all over the body. Adding essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus and bergamot to the water can give an additional benefit.

Herbs And Liniments

Certain herbs have anti-inflammatory and soothing action. Whereas herbal liniment (semi solid extract of herbs applied like a lotion, gel or balm) have the ability to penetrate the skin and tissues and help in healing. Herb like Arnica has always been used in sprains and muscular soreness whereas herb like St. John's wort has been used in relaxing muscle spasm. Devil's claw is an herb that acts as a natural pain killer and relieves muscular soreness and aches especially in lower back and neck. Lavender and Rose Mary are well known for their aromatherapy effects they are soothing when applied to the skin and they relax spasms and cramps on being absorbed in the muscles.

Acupressure

Acupressure is a scientific method in which acupressure points in the body are stimulated by pressure to give relief. The stimulation of these points also called the potent points triggers the release of Endorphins which are natural pain killers that relieve the muscle ache. It also helps in relaxing and healing of the muscles. Muscle relaxation and increased endorphins are the fast and natural ways to relieve muscle pains.

Magnesium

Low levels of magnesium in the body can lead to general muscle aches and muscle cramps. Take a magnesium supplement. You can start by including foods that are high in magnesium in your diet. Some of the top food sources for magnesium are molasses, squash and pumpkin seeds (pepitas), spinach, swiss chard, cocoa powder, black beans, flax seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds and cashews.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

How to relax sore muscles? ACV is an effective home remedy to relieve and soothe muscle pain. Mix a tablespoon or two in a glass of water and drink . You can also rub the vinegar directly on the area of the sore muscle/cramp. This will give relief from muscle pain.

Cayenne Pepper

It contains capsaicin (which produces the burn in hot peppers) which relives pain from arthritis, joint and muscle pain and general muscles soreness. you can make your own paste by mixing 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper with one cup of olive or (warm) coconut oil. Apply the rub to the affected area, and wash your hands after application. Keep the rub away from your eyes, nose and mouth as it will cause irritation.

Cherry Juice

Cherry juice eases sore muscles after running or vigorous exercise. Antioxidants found in cherries called anthocyanins are believed to work by reducing inflammation. Try drinking tart cherry juice on workout days for less pain and inflammation. This is how to help sore leg and arm muscles.