Muscle pain is a common problem. Some common causes include excess physical labor, heavy workouts, or an injury. The pain can occur in almost every part of the body. Routine tasks become difficult when the pain is acute. Here are some remedies that provide relief from muscle pain:

Effective remedies to get relief from muscle pain

Use a topical pain relief cream
Topical creams can provide temporary relief and alleviate pain. It’s best to consult a doctor before using any of the below listed options.

Aspercreme® Pain Relief Cream
It’s a fragrance-free, non-greasy cream. It can be used to temporarily relieve minor muscle and joint aches.

Ultra Strength BENGAY® Cream
This cream contains camphor, menthol, and other active ingredients that give a soothing effect. One should avoid applying this cream to damaged skin or wounds or with a heating pad.

Icy Hot® Original Cream
This offers relief from body pains. The cream can reduce pain caused by arthritis, back aches, bruises, sprains, and strains. It is suitable for adults and children 12 years of age following a consultation with a doctor.

Use an ice pack
Ice is an efficient solution for reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation. One can use an ice pack to soothe the muscle tissues and ease the pain.

• To use this, wrap an ice pack in a cloth or towel and place it on the affected area for 10 minutes.
• Repeat the process after 1-2 hours. Remember that using an ice pack for more than 10-15 minutes can result in tissue damage.
• Also, make sure to wrap the ice pack in a towel before using it to avoid frostbite.

Use a heating pad
If one experiences long-term pain or stress in the muscles, they can consider using a heating pad.

• Apply the heating pad to the affected area for about 10-15 minutes. Remove it and give your skin a break. Using it for too long can cause burns.
• If you don’t have a heating pad, wrap a warm water bottle in a towel and use it to apply heat.
• It is important to note that heat can sometimes increase the inflammation. So, if the pain worsens with heat, stop using it and stick to ice packs.

Get adequate rest
Rest is necessary to reduce muscle pain. If one continues working despite the pain, it will end up worsening the symptoms. So, take a day off and give your body adequate rest so that it can recoup.

Consume plenty of water
Staying hydrated is the key to a healthy life. Also, because muscles are made up of 75% water, drinking an adequate amount of water can help to ease muscle pain. It is recommended to have at least 10-12 glasses of water every day to keep the body active and well-hydrated.

Take an Epsom salt bath
Hot baths are an effective remedy to get relief from muscle pain. Relaxing in hot water which is replete with essential minerals helps to reduce pain. The heat unwinds the muscles, and the body can absorb minerals such as magnesium, which offers relief from muscle pain.

• Fill a tub with hot water and add 1-2 cups of Epsom salts.
• Soak in the water for 15-20 minutes. Do not sit for longer as you may risk dehydrating your body.

Go for an essential oil massage
Massage is a great way to trigger blood circulation to a specific area. It also aids in speeding up the healing process. When one gets a massage with essential oils such as lavender, lemongrass, Roman chamomile, peppermint, basil, marjoram, and so on, they can reap a lot of benefits.

• If you’re planning to get a massage at home, you need to mix 1-2 drops of any essential oil to 1 tablespoon of carrier oil, such as olive oil, fractionated coconut oil or almond oil.
• Apply it to the affected area and massage gently. Make sure to use the mixture at room temperature.

Take over-the-counter pain relievers
Over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help to ease muscle pain. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before taking these, especially if one is receiving treatment for any other medical condition.

When to see a doctor?
Mostly, episodes of muscle pain are harmless and can be treated with the remedies mentioned above. But at the same time, muscle pain could also be a sign of an underlying medical condition. So, it is imperative to consult a doctor under the following circumstances:

• Persistent pain even after a few days of home treatment
• Pain occurs along with a rash
• High-grade fever along with the muscle pain
• The pain occurs after a tick bite