How To Effectively Lessen Muscle Pain
Muscle pain is most commonly the result of overuse, stress, tension, or a minor injury. When this is the case, the pain will typically affect just a few muscles or one part of the body, and thankfully, often have simple treatments available to relieve the pain effectively. If individuals are experiencing pain throughout their body, it is called systemic pain, and is most commonly caused by an illness, infection, or a side effect of medication. Systemic pain should be evaluated by a doctor.
No one wants to deal with muscle pain, regardless of the underlying cause. This is precisely why prompt and effective treatment is so important! The good news is there are quite a few treatments for muscle pain out there, and many are both simple and effective. Get to know the most common now.
Rest Affected Area
The first line of treatment for muscle pain is almost always to rest the affected area. This treatment is the most reliable one for minor injuries and strains. The majority of cases of muscle soreness will get better without needing a specific treatment in five to seven days. During this time, affected individuals should rest the muscle to allow it to heal. Muscle strains can occur if individuals overtax their muscles or perform repetitive movements, which can cause them to feel like their muscles are sore or like a nerve is pinched. If a patient's muscle soreness and pain hasn't improved after a week, they should talk to a doctor. It may be difficult for individuals to rest if they're an athlete or have a job that requires manual labor. However, continuing to use an injured muscle can cause the injury to become much more serious. If a muscle or tendon becomes badly torn, patients may experience excruciating pain, and some tears can only be repaired through surgery.
Apply Cold Or Warm Compresses
One thing that can help relieve muscle pain is to apply cold or warm compresses. Whether to pick ice or heat varies depending on a few factors, including the type of muscle injury involved. There are two types of injury: chronic and acute. Chronic injuries are ones that develop over time and take a while to heal. The most common causes of chronic injuries are repetitive motions or improper healing of a previous injury. Acute injuries, on the other hand, come on suddenly. They're usually the result of an impact or trauma. An acute injury must have occurred within the prior forty-eight hours. Researchers recommend using ice to treat acute injuries, as ice numbs the nerve endings and reduces pain. It also lowers swelling by constricting the blood vessels. Heat shouldn't be used on an acute injury or an inflamed injury because it increases circulation. For chronic injuries without inflammation, though, heat is a good option. The increased blood flow allows blood cells to deliver nutrients and oxygen that speed the healing process. Heat can also be used before a workout to increase circulation during exercise.
