As someone who has pushed my body to the limit throughout my entire career as a bodybuilder, I know first-hand how important it is to effectively manage muscle pain. It can be tough to bear aching joints or sore muscles, whether they’re due to an intense workout or everyday activities.
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Whether you're an avid gym-goer or an occasional runner, muscle pain can be a common setback when you're trying to stay active. Thankfully, there are plenty of treatments available, ranging from traditional methods like ice packs and over-the-counter painkillers to newer options like CBD muscle gels.
In this blog, I'll explore some of the most popular and effective treatments for muscle pain relief.
What Causes Muscle Pain?
Muscle pain can impact anyone, regardless of age or fitness level. Understanding the common causes of muscle pain can help you prevent or manage your discomfort more effectively. Here are the most common causes of muscle pain:
- Overuse. When you engage in repetitive or excessive physical activity, your muscles can become strained and sore. Physical activity, especially new or intense exercise, can also contribute to muscle strain and stiffness.
- Injury. You may experience muscle pain due to a sports injury, car accident, or fall.
- Muscle tension. Pain and tension can result from poor posture, stress, or anxiety.
- Medical conditions. Conditions such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome can cause ongoing muscle pain and tenderness. These conditions are often accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbance, and mood changes. You might also experience muscle pain as a result of an infection, thyroid problems, or an autoimmune disorder.
- Certain medications. Some medications can cause muscle pain as a side effect.
Treatments for Muscle Pain Relief
1. Hot & Cold Therapy
Hot and cold therapy is an effective way to manage muscle pain and relieve DOMS symptoms. Heating pads, for example, help increase blood flow to the area of inflammation, which can help flush out the byproducts associated with it. A 20-minute session is enough to experience the benefits of heat.
On the other hand, cold therapy can help reduce inflammation in the affected area by constricting blood vessels. It also numbs pain and reduces muscle spasm. Cold therapy is best applied in short intervals. A 10-minute session, for example, is enough to reduce inflammation and pain.
Aside from heating pads and ice packs, there are other hot and cold treatments you can try. A hot shower can help relieve pain and muscle tension, while hot compresses can help increase blood flow to muscles. Cold compresses, meanwhile, can be made by wrapping ice cubes in a towel and applying it to an affected area.
2. RICE (Rest Ice Compress Elevate)
The RICE method is a treatment used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation, particularly for those experiencing acute muscle injuries:
- Rest. Giving your body time to rest and recover is essential, particularly when dealing with muscle pain. Taking a break from physical activity can help prevent further damage and give your body the opportunity it needs to heal.
- Ice. Applying an ice pack to the affected area can help soothe inflammation, reduce swelling, and provide pain relief. Ice helps by restricting blood flow to the injured area, reducing the amount of inflammation that occurs.
- Compression. Applying gentle pressure to the injured area can help limit swelling and reduce the amount of fluid that builds up in the tissues.
- Elevation. Elevating the injured area above the level of your heart can help reduce swelling and improve blood flow to the area, helping to promote healing.
The RICE method is a simple and effective way to provide muscle pain relief. Each component of the treatment works together to reduce inflammation and pain, allowing your body to recover more quickly.
3. Muscle Pain Relief Gels
One of the most effective ways to alleviate muscle pain is through topical pain relief gels. These gels are applied directly to the affected area, providing fast-acting relief from discomfort and inflammation.
There are plenty of different pain relief gels available, from ibuprofen-infused gels to all-natural options. Although ibuprofen gels can be effective, long-term use of ibuprofen can result in harmful side effects. For this reason, I prefer natural gels that are gentler on the body.
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