MUSCLE ACHES & STRAINS

MUSCLE ACHES & STRAINS

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Muscle aches and pains often include more than one muscle 


and body part. An aching muscle area may also have 


strained or sprained ligaments, tendons and soft connective


 tissue. Doctors report that most muscle aches are due to


 tension, overuse or injury during physical activity. Medical


conditions such as fibromyalgia, lupus and infection also can


 cause aches and pains in the muscles. There are a number


 of steps you can take at home to relieve those aching 


muscles
.
It is never advisable to ignore aches and pains and wait for 


it to pass. An early treatment will help in cure and prevent


 further progression into arthritis. Popping in pills and 


injecting cortisone into an acutely affected joint may offer 


relief to a certain extent, but will harm the immune system 


in the long run.

Hence, using herbal aids and getting plenty of rest, while


 also eating fresh nutritious foods (preferably organic), will 


help minimize joint and muscle aches. Hope the following 


natural remedies will be of help.

Rest

Rest can provide relief for muscle pain. Continuing to use a 


strained muscle or tendon may exacerbate the condition and


 cause further damage. Resting for 48 hours from the
 activity that caused the pain can decrease the inflammation. 


Sleep is another vital component of muscle repair. Seven to 


nine hours of sleep provides the body with the downtime 


necessary to repair internal damages. Sleep also can reduce


 stress that is keeping muscles tightened up.

Ice

Doctors recommend that ice packs or a bag of frozen peas 


should be placed on the sore muscles for 15 to 20 minutes,


 three times a day, for the first 24 to 72 hours. Use hot 


compresses if the area is still sore after that. Ice numbs the 


pain and reduces the swelling; heat relaxes and soothes the 


soft tissues.

Exercise

Aerobic activities that tone the muscles and build up 


strength, while seeming counterintuitive, can sometimes be 


the best remedy for muscle aches and pains. Muscles that 


rest for too long can tighten up even further and eventually 


atrophy. Low-impact exercises that won't add additional 


stress on the damaged muscles include cycling, swimming 


and walking. Muscles often become sore during exercise, 


and sometimes it is best to keep working through the 


discomfort to relieve the soreness. Stop the exercise,


 however, if the pain is sharp and stabbing or if pain persists 


for more than three days. Stretching is food for preventing 


muscle damage, but it won't relieve muscle aches

Other tips:

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*You can use fresh rosemary or dried leaves for the 


mixture. Prepare the rosemary concoction by mixing an 


ounce of rosemary with 1 pint of water and let the mixture


 stand for at least 30 minutes. Soak a cloth in the rosemary 


and place the cloth over the aching muscle. Repeat as 


necessary.

* A hotbath following workout, helps in removing metabolic 


wastes, while also increasing circulation and easing 


soreness.

* A massage by an expert may help decrease inflammation


 and speed muscle recovery immediately, following a work 


out.

* A few drops of peppermint or rosemary essential oil (if 


possible add valerian) at bed time may help. 

* A spoonful of fresh flax seed or evening primrose oil 


several times a day may relieve pain within a few days.


* Ginger baths, Ginger compresses and soaks, will ease sore


 and aching joints.

* Soak in hot bath to which two cups of Epson salts have 


been dissolved to ease the pain of strain. The salts promote 


healing of torn muscles and relieve swelling.


* Eating minimum of 2 bananas a day will help reduce


 muscle cramps, caused by deficiency of potassium, as


 bananas are rich in potassium.

* Drink plenty of water before and after the activity of your


 choice, as it helps prevent cramps caused due to loss of 


water in the form of sweat.

*Prepare strong ginger tea with 2 teaspoons of ginger


 powder or fresh, grated ginger root in 2 cups of water. Let


it simmer until the water turns yellowish in color. Add the 


ginger tea to a bathful of warm water. Relax in the tub for 


20 to 30 minutes. This ginger tea bath may relieve muscle


 stiffness and soreness and is wonderful for one's circulation. 


*Apply moist heat directly to the affected area
. 
*Take calcium, B-complex, and cayenne supplements to heal 


muscles and as a preventative measure.
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