HEALING FOR MUSCLE PAINS

WHAT IS PAIN?

Pain is a general term that describes uncomfortable sensations throughout the body. The sensation it creates in the body can range from irritating to being powerless. It may feel like a sharp knife or a slight ache.

Pain can affect a specific part of the body or the entire body.

Pain is personal. Some people are pain resistant, while others have low tolerance.

The frequency, duration and form of pain vary.

Acute Pain: It develops in a short time. It occurs suddenly, usually as a result of a known injury, illness, or medical procedure. It is a sharp pain. It usually goes away within a few days, weeks, or months after the cause is treated. Almost everyone experiences acute pain at some point in their lives.

Chronic Pain: It lasts for several months or years or comes and goes. It can be caused by a variety of health conditions, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic migraine, or cancer. Some people may experience chronic pain following an injury, even after the initial injury has healed.

Nociceptive Pain: Caused by tissue damage such as cuts, burns, bruises, or fractures. It can also be caused by certain health conditions that cause tissue inflammation and damage, such as arthritis, osteoporosis, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). When nociceptive pain develops in your skin, muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints or bones, it is called somatic pain. When it develops in your internal organs, it is known as visceral pain. Nociceptive pain can be acute or chronic, depending on the underlying cause. It may feel painful, throbbing, or sharp. Nociceptive pain affects almost everyone at some point in their lives.

Neuropathic Pain: It is caused by nerve damage that can be caused by various injuries and diseases. For example, if one of the discs in your spine slips out of place and presses on a nerve, you may experience neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain can also develop as a result of certain diseases, such as shingles, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or cancer. It tends to be chronic, but acute pain can also occur.

Functional Pain: Pain that is not caused by significant injury or damage. It tends to be chronic. Examples of functional pain syndromes are fibromyalgia, which causes widespread pain throughout the body, or chronic cardiac chest pain, which causes chest pain.

Pain tells us that something is wrong with the body and gives some clues about the cause. Some pains are easy to diagnose and can be managed at home. Some types of pain are symptoms of serious health conditions that require medical attention to treat.

WHAT IS MUSCLE PAIN?

Muscle aches (myalgia) are extremely common. Almost everyone has experienced muscle discomfort at some point. Because muscle tissue is found almost everywhere in the body, this type of pain can be felt almost anywhere. Although muscle overuse or injuries often cause pain, other possible causes can be found.

WHY DOES MUSCLE PAIN OCCUR?

Some common causes of muscle pain include:

• Muscle tension in one or more parts of the body
• Overuse of the muscle during physical activity
• Injury of the muscle while performing a physically demanding job or exercise
• Skipping warm-up and cool-down exercises in the activity
• Excessive stress and tension

Causes of long-term pain:

• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Inflammation in muscle connective tissues
• Influenza, polio or other bacterial infections
• Autoimmune disorders
• Thyroid problems
• Low potassium
• Low magnesium

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MUSCLE PAIN?

• Pain in the muscles
• Weakness felt in the muscles
• Difficulty in running and walking
• Difficulty when trying to stand up
• The tension in the neck when sitting for a long time
• Tissue tension
• Cramping

PREVENTING MUSCLE PAIN

If your muscle pain is caused by tension or physical activity, to avoid it

• Stretch your muscles before and after workouts.
• Add a warm-up and cool-down period of approximately 5 minutes each to each of your workouts.
• Do not stay dehydrated on active days.
• Exercise regularly to help develop optimal muscle tone.
• If you work in an environment that puts you at risk for muscle strain, stand up and stretch regularly.

HOW TO HEAL MUSCLE PAIN?

Muscle aches usually respond well to home treatment. When you experience muscle discomfort from injuries and overuse, here are some home remedies for pain relief:

• Resting the body area with aches and pains
• Applying ice to the affected area to relieve pain and reduce inflammation
• Using ice for 1 - 3 days after a strain or sprain and applying heat for pain that remains after 3 days
• Gently stretching the muscles
• Avoiding high-impact activities until the muscle pain subsides
• Avoiding weight-lifting sessions until muscle pain resolves
• Doing stress-relieving activities and exercises such as yoga and meditation to reduce tension

A Natural Supplement: Medicinal and Aromatic Plants’ Oils

Muscle spasms and muscle aches in the body can be relieved naturally in people with acute neck and back pain, pregnant women experiencing sudden weight gain, or menstruating women. Using herbal oils is one of these natural ways. The herbal oil to be used must have the following properties:

• Analgesic: Helps relieve pain. Some essential oils with this characteristic; Peppermint oil, Eucalyptus oil, Rosemary oil, Lavender oil, Sage oil

• Antispasmodic: Helps prevent or reduce muscle spasms and cramps. Some essential oils with this characteristic; Peppermint oil, Camomile oil, Lavender oil, Basil oil, Clove oil, Marjoram oil, Sage oil

• Anti-inflammatory: Helps reduce inflammation. Some essential oils with this characteristic; Eucalyptus oil, Ginger Oil, Lemongrass oil, Frankincense oil, Lavender Oil, Basil oil, Sage oil

Usage Suggestion:

Massage: You can massage your body to relax your muscles by diluting these essential oils individually or in a mixture with carrier oils at the appropriate rate. In addition to the analgesic, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory characteristics of these oils for your muscles, massage can also help quickly relieve muscle tension. Essential oils and carrier oils such as jojoba, almond, apricot kernel or coconut that you choose will also help your skin to moisturize, nourish and look lively as they have antioxidant characteristic.

Compress: You can also use essential oils for cold or hot compresses. Cold compress is usually used to soothe inflammation, while hot compress is usually used to relieve pain. Fill a large bowl with cold or hot water according to your needs. Add the diluted essential oil to the water. Let the towel sit until it is completely wet. Gently squeeze out excess water. Apply the towel to the affected area for about 15 minutes.

We recommended that you consult your doctor before using these herbal oils.

Consult Your Doctor

Muscle aches are not always harmless, and in some cases, home treatment is not enough to address the underlying cause.

You should definitely see your doctor if there is:

• Pain that does not go away after a few days of home treatment
• Severe muscle pain with no clear cause
• Muscle pain that occurs with the rash
• Muscle pain accompanied by redness or swelling
• Pain caused by high temperature