There are many reasons why you might feel muscle soreness or aching joints at the end of the day. From gardening to spending hours at the gym, you will definitely feel the discomfort sooner or later. When this happens, all you want is for the pain to stop.
If you’re after effective muscle pain management, below are some tips you will find helpful.
- DIY acupressure
As much as we want to get a massage every day, it’s just not possible because there’s the budget constraint or your busy schedule getting in the way. Trigger points, which are tender knots in the muscles, can be dealt with by applying pressure to the area. While it will initially hurt, pressing on the trigger point for 45 seconds will increase the flow of energy, release the muscle, and ease the pain.
If it’s a hard-to-reach area, you can use a tennis ball by placing it in the surrounding area where the trigger point is and rolling the ball to apply pressure.
- Listen to music
Music is an effective way to relax. A French study conducted in 2011 showed how the condition of patients suffering from lower back pain improved after listening to music. There was also a 50% pain reduction in cancer patients listening to music for half an hour every day. One of the logical explanations for this is that music helps distract you and keeps your focus on something else other than the pain.
- Soak and steam will help
One of the reasons for muscle contraction and pain is magnesium deficiency. Because today’s diet is mostly processed foods, we consume 65% less magnesium than what the body needs. To get the required amount in your body, you’ll need to eat food rich in magnesium, like peanuts, bananas, avocados, soy, and whole grains.
Soaking in an Epsom salt bath will also work because the skin can also absorb the minerals. Besides, a warm bath is also a good way to relax. If you have a steam shower in your bathroom, you can also let your skin absorb steam to relax the muscles and relieve your joints of pain.
- Topical gels
These gels help with muscle pain by increasing blood flow to the affected area and numbing the nerve endings. Because they have camphor and menthol, these natural ingredients will provide cooling relief and block the pain sensors.
- Exercise
Doing mild exercises like tai chi and yoga, and even regular walking can help reduce pain. Body pain is caused by muscles tightening up, and with regular exercise, the different muscle groups are stretched and relaxed. Stretching is also an excellent way to help with the pain. It won’t take much of your time either because you’ll only need to hold each pose for 10 – 15 seconds. If you do this every day, you’ll find yourself feeling much better and your muscles will be more relaxed.
When it comes to muscle pain, remember that you don’t have to suffer it. There are different ways to deal with it and all you need to do is find one that’s effective for you.
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