Muscle pain, also known as myalgia, is a pain that affects muscles, which can occur anywhere in the body such as the neck, back or chest.
There are several home remedies and methods that can be used to relieve or even treat muscle aches, and include:
1. Apply ice
The best way to relieve an acute muscle pain is by using ice, which has an analgesic effect, helps reduce swelling and lengthen muscles. The ice should be applied by wrapping it in a compress, so as not to injure or burn the skin, for 15 to 20 minutes. Learn more about when and how to properly use ice to relieve muscle pain.
2. Alternate cold with heat
For the first 48 hours after injury, it is recommended to apply an ice pack for 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day, but after that, you should alternate with the application of warm compresses, as shown in the following video:
3. Put hot salt compresses
An excellent home remedy for muscle pain is the warm salt compress as it helps decrease pain and stimulates circulation, speeding up the muscle recovery process.
Ingredients
- 500 g of salt;
- Stockings of thick fabric.
How to prepare: heat the salt in a skillet for approximately 4 minutes and put in a clean sock, of thick fabric, so that it is soft. Then apply the compress on the sore muscle and let it act for 30 minutes, twice a day.
4. Massage with essential oils
Regular massages with essential oils help reduce muscle soreness. The essential oils of Rosemary and Peppermint stimulate circulation, and the essential oil of St. John's Wort has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ingredients
- 15 drops of Rosemary essential oil;
- 5 drops Peppermint essential oil;
- 5 drops of essential oil of St. John's Wort;
- 1 tablespoon almond oil.
How to prepare: mix the oils in a dark glass jar. Shake well and massage the muscle with a little of the mixture, every day until better. Find out more benefits that massage has for health.
5. Rest and lengthen
After a muscle injury, it is very important to let the affected region rest.
However, when the initial severe pain and swelling become smaller, the affected area should be lengthened, gently, by moving it to avoid progressive stiffness. Stretching helps to stimulate circulation and prevents scarring. See which stretching exercises are ideal for back pain.
6. Drinking herbal tea
Taking valerian tea, ginger, white willow, filiplegia or devil's claw also helps in muscle pain due to its sedative, anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic properties. In the case of white willow, it contains salicin, a molecule very similar to acetylsalicylic acid, an active substance in aspirin, which reduces pain and inflammation.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of valerian extract;
- 1 tablespoon of willow bark extract;
- 1 tablespoon of ginger extract.
How to prepare: mix the extracts and store in a dark glass bottle. Take half a teaspoonful, diluted in 60 ml of warm water, about 4 times a day.
See other teas for muscle pain teas.
7. Pass arnica on the skin
Arnica is a plant that helps control swelling, bruising and inflammation and decreases hematoma due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used in cream, oil or even in compresses that can be prepared as follows:
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of arnica flowers;
- 1 cup boiling water.
How to prepare: add the arnica flowers in a cup with boiling water and let stand for 10 minutes. Then strain and dip the compress into the tea and then apply to the affected region. Learn more about this medicinal plant.
8. Take turmeric
The inflammation of the muscle can be alleviated with the help of turmeric, which is a medicinal plant with a long orange root, which can be turned into powder and used as spice in several countries, especially in India.
The recommended dose is 300 mg twice a day, but you can also use the powdered saffron and add it to the food, as in curry dishes, soups and dishes based on eggs, rice and vegetables. See more benefits of saffron.
9. Bath with Epsom salts
Epsom salt is a mineral compound that can be used to relieve muscle pain as it is responsible for regulating magnesium levels in the body and thus lead to increased production of serotonin, which is a hormone that helps relax and to calm down.
To bath with Epsom salts just fill a tub with warm water and put 250 grams of salts and then do a soak for about 20 minutes, there being muscle relaxation.
