Some common causes of muscle pain are an aggressive workout, physical labor, an injury or regular day-to-day activities. Also known as myalgia, muscle pain is a common problem, and everyone experiences it at some point in their life.
Muscle pain can occur in almost every part of the body. The pain can be mild or acute, and in the latter case, people might find it difficult to go about their routine.
Thankfully, some remedies can offer instant relief from the agonizing pain. Here are some remedies that provide relief from muscle pain:
Effective remedies to get relief from muscle pain
Use an ice pack
Ice is an efficient solution for reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation. One can use an ice pack to soothe the muscle tissues and ease the pain.
- To use this, wrap an ice pack in a cloth or towel and place it on the affected area for 10 minutes.
- Repeat the process after 1-2 hours. Remember that using an ice pack for more than 10-15 minutes can result in tissue damage.
- Also, make sure to wrap the ice pack in a towel before using it to avoid frostbite.
Use a heating pad
If one experiences long-term pain or stress in the muscles, they can consider using a heating pad.
- Apply the heating pad to the affected area for about 10-15 minutes. Remove it and give your skin a break. Using it for too long can cause burns.
- If you don’t have a heating pad, wrap a warm water bottle in a towel and use it to apply heat.
- It is important to note that heat can sometimes increase the inflammation. So, if the pain worsens with heat, stop using it and stick to ice packs.
Use a topical pain relief medicine
There are plenty of topical medications that provide relief from muscle pain. These are generally in the form of creams that one can rub into their skin for instant relief. While choosing a cream to get relief from muscle pain, make sure that it includes the following components:
- Capsaicin: Capsaicin is an active ingredient found in chili peppers. It is a part of a wide variety of medicated creams and lotions that provide relief from muscle and joint pain.
- Arnica montana: This herb is a folk remedy for reducing muscle pain.
- Menthol and camphor: These anti-inflammatory ingredients can reduce inflammation in the muscle tissues.
Get adequate rest
Rest is necessary to reduce muscle pain. If one continues working despite the pain, it will end up worsening the symptoms. So, take a day off and give your body adequate rest so that it can recoup.
Consume plenty of water
Staying hydrated is the key to a healthy life. Also, because muscles are made up of 75% water, drinking an adequate amount of water can help to ease muscle pain. It is recommended to have at least 10-12 glasses of water every day to keep the body active and well-hydrated.
Take an Epsom salt bath
Hot baths are an effective remedy to get relief from muscle pain. Relaxing in hot water which is replete with essential minerals helps to reduce pain. The heat unwinds the muscles, and the body can absorb minerals such as magnesium, which offers relief from muscle pain.
- Fill a tub with hot water and add 1-2 cups of Epsom salts.
- Soak in the water for 15-20 minutes. Do not sit for longer as you may risk dehydrating your body.
Go for an essential oil massage
Massage is a great way to trigger blood circulation to a specific area. It also aids in speeding up the healing process. When one gets a massage with essential oils such as lavender, lemongrass, Roman chamomile, peppermint, basil, marjoram, and so on, they can reap a lot of benefits.
- If you’re planning to get a massage at home, you need to mix 1-2 drops of any essential oil to 1 tablespoon of carrier oil, such as olive oil, fractionated coconut oil or almond oil.
- Apply it to the affected area and massage gently. Make sure to use the mixture at room temperature.
Take over-the-counter pain relievers
Over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help to ease muscle pain. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before taking these, especially if one is receiving treatment for any other medical condition.
When to see a doctor?
Mostly, episodes of muscle pain are harmless and can be treated with the remedies mentioned above. But at the same time, muscle pain could also be a sign of an underlying medical condition. So, it is imperative to consult a doctor under the following circumstances:
- Persistent pain even after a few days of home treatment
- Pain occurs along with a rash
- High-grade fever along with the muscle pain
- The pain occurs after a tick bite
