Muscle pain is common. Almost everyone has experienced muscle pain at some point in their lives. And because the muscles are nearly in all parts of our body, this type of pain can be at the back, arm muscles, or practically anywhere.
Overuse of our muscles is what usually causes the pain, but there are also possible causes for the ongoing discomfort.
Below are the common causes of muscle aches:
Muscle pains are often due to the result from too much tension, stress or physical activity. Some of the common causes are:
- muscle tension
- overusing the muscles
- injuring the muscles
- skipping warmups and cooldowns during workouts
Medical conditions that cause muscle pain
Not all muscle pains are due to physical activity, stress, or tension. Some explanations of muscle pain include
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- bacterial infections, flu or polio
- autoimmune diseases such as lupus, or polymyositis
- thyroid problems
- hypoglycemia
- use of drugs or certain medications
- fibromyalgia
How to naturally relieve pain at home
Many people who want to ease pain will immediately go to their medicine cabinet and pop a tablet or two. But some of which have side effects and relying too much on medications can have potential side effects such as getting hooked on the drugs. Before you go to your medicine cabinet to find remedies for pain, here are some things you can try.
Heat and Cold
Using hot or cold compress helps to ease joint pain. A hot compress helps to increase blood flow which relaxes sore muscles and joints; thus, decrease pain. A cold compress can reduce inflammation and can numb the area around the aching muscles and joints.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Many people have found that drinking apple cider vinegar or rubbing it in the affected area can help to relieve muscle pain. Apple cider vinegar is sour; therefore, it’s best to mix it with water or honey to help with the sour taste.
Watermelon juice
Watermelon juice is packed with amino acids called L-citrulline which can relieve sore muscles. Studies have shown that several athletes who drank 16 ounces of watermelon juice reduced the amount of muscle soreness a day after an intense workout.
Cherry juice
Cherry juice contains high concentrations of anthocyanins, an antioxidant that helps to reduce soreness and discomfort in your muscles. Studies had shown that athletes who drank bottles of cherry juice a week before an intense workout and during an intense workout experienced less pain compared to those who didn’t drink cherry juice. Cherry juice also contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help for a speedy recovery.
Rest
The most effective and natural way to relieve muscle pain is to simply rest. The muscle soreness and pain are caused by tears in your muscles, and those tears need time to heal. When you sleep, your body produces a high level of growth hormone, which aids to rebuild your muscles. If you lack sleep, you are hindering your body from healing the muscles.
Occasional muscle aches and pains are normal, especially if you’re working out. If your muscles start hurting, listen to your body and stop.