Natural Remedies For Muscle Pain & Inflammation

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, also known as TENS for short, is the process of using a mild electrical current on the body through the use of a gadget called a TENS unit.

The electrical current is used on the part of the body that is tight or experiencing mild pain. As long as used as directed, this method of treatment is deemed safe and effective.

I, myself, do not have a lot of experience with this type of treatment, but my husband and daughter do. The chiropractor they go to hooks them up to a TENS unit before chiropractic treatment.

They say their muscles relax after the device is placed on a part of their body for approximately 5-10 minutes. However, this can vary depending on the person's needs, where inflammation is located, and the type of muscle soreness the person is experiencing.

If one has the availability to this type of device, it is worth trying out to see how beneficial it is for your muscles.

Herbs are also helpful natural pain relievers. They can be beneficial for joint pain, muscle pain, sore muscles, and other related conditions. Studies have shown the herbs below to be especially effective herbal remedies.

Turmeric (Curcumin)

Curcumin is a powerful compound in the herb turmeric. This active ingredient has been shown in studies to be very effective in pain management.

Due to its ability to regulate molecular pathways, it can lower inflammation and get oxidative stress under control. The herb has been found to be as effective as NSAIDs-Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs - (ex. Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Diclofenac, etc.) but without the side effects of NSAIDs.

This is a home remedy we swear by in our household. My husband notices right away when he is without it due to the type of work he does. It is very beneficial and a great natural alternative for pain management.

Boswellia

Another useful herb for chronic pain, stiff muscles, and stiff joints is Boswellia. This is another herbal supplement that we often use.

It helps us tremendously with stiff joints and tendons, which helps us stretch more productively and be more flexible during a workout. A greater range of motion and agile joints can make for less muscle strain.

Duhuo

Duhuo is also an herbal treatment option. It is effective in treating pain and stiffness related to the joint. Osteoarthritis is an area of study in which the application of Duhuo has shown success in reducing pain and stiffness.

This is because Duhuo is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and also promotes blood circulation. This is beneficial for the healing of the muscles. Additionally, dead cells and debris can be more easily filtered out of the body after muscle repair due to the increase in circulation. 

Also, the herb improved physical performance according to studies. Duhuo is often used in conjunction with other herbs for optimal results. Duhuo Jisheng Wan is the natural pain relief treatment where the herb is often found.

Danshen and Ginseng

The herbal combination of Danshen and Ginseng is frequently used as a holistic approach to recovering quickly from physical activity. Additionally, this duo has demonstrated powerful results in decreasing muscle tension and muscle damage as a result when supplementing with these herbs together.

Saffron

Saffron may prove to be helpful as well. The herb effectively halts or slows the creation of prostaglandin, which can be helpful when your body has an overload of prostaglandin.

Although prostaglandins are necessary for repair and healing, too high levels of these lipids can cause an unnecessary amount of aching, discomfort, and pain.

Herbal pastes are also helpful natural alternatives that can be applied directly to the skin. An herbal mixture is diffused into a carrier oil and then applied to the problematic area. Herbal pastes are useful when needing quick relief for a specific area.

Many people find acupuncture to be a beneficial alternative medicine for relieving muscle tension. It offers natural pain relief and relaxes the muscles.

Small needles are specifically placed on the body in accordance with where pain or tightness is felt. It is important to seek out a professional acupuncturist who is well spoken of and holds the appropriate credentials.

We sought acupuncture treatment for my daughter concerning other health issues. However, she often mentioned how relaxed she was with less tension. 

There are many types of massages available, all with benefits of their own. 

One type of massage is a sports massage. It focuses on athletic performance and injury prevention.

Another form of massage is Acupressure. This form of massage uses pressure to specific body parts to increase circulation and deeply relax the body and muscles.

Additionally, there is a deep tissue massage. This is when the massage therapist dives deep to massage muscles, working them to release tension and loosen connective tissue. These are just to name a few.

Massages can relieve a lot of stress and strain on the muscles, allowing for quicker recovery. However, getting routine massages will have more positive effects on the body. Muscles will perform better, and joints may be more mobile due to less toxin load. 

When this is the case, inflammation is less likely to occur, and muscle repair can happen more quickly. This all results in fewer tight muscles and fewer body aches.

Related Post:  13 Ways To Exercise and Stretch the spine

This essential nutrient plays many important roles in physical fitness and recovery. According to the Journal of Translational Medicine, various studies support the notion that physically active individuals require more magnesium in their diet than those who are not physically active. This is due to magnesium being depleted by physical fitness. 

Additionally, magnesium plays a role in how protein is broken down and used. We know protein is important for muscle building and repair. Therefore, muscle recovery will benefit from magnesium intake.

Also, this mineral impacts muscle contraction and muscle endurance and can help with muscle spasms and muscle cramps.

The better the body can endure the exercise, the less chance for injury, muscle pain, and/or inflammation. Magnesium is a must in our house, and this is just one of the many reasons.

Taking an Epsom salt bath for sore muscles, especially for delayed onset muscle soreness, is a great way to take in magnesium. This type of warm bath can soothe muscle aches as it absorbs into the body.

The food and beverages your body consumes will also impact inflammation and muscle pain. Eating foods with anti-inflammatory properties is one of the easiest natural home remedies because eating and drinking are daily occurrences.

I know, this is easier said than done for many. Learning to control your cravings and be in charge of what you put in your body will greatly affect the pain and inflammation you experience. 

Additionally, the type of food and drink is important, but the amount of food and drink will impact your pain and inflammation levels as well.