How do I Choose the Best Muscle Pain Remedies?

Muscle pain is a common complaint and can interfere with normal daily activities. Fortunately, there are several muscle pain remedies available, whether the pain is caused due to physical injury or natural disease processes. Choosing the best muscle pain remedies is often a bit tricky, as each person will respond differently to various treatment methods. For this reason, trial and error is often the best method of choosing the best muscle pain remedies on an individual basis. Some of the more popular treatment methods involve the use of lifestyle changes, over-the-counter or prescription medications, and herbal treatments.

Lifestyle changes are among the most important muscle pain remedies. It is important to rest the affected muscles as much as possible during the healing process. Applying an ice pack to the sore muscles for about 15 minutes at a time may be especially helpful for a couple of days after the pain begins. A warm bath may help to increase circulation and relieve pain associated with sore muscles.

Some patients prefer to use natural muscle pain remedies. Glucosamine is a substance that is naturally found in the human body, and dietary supplements containing this ingredient are thought to help repair cartilage and ease both muscle and joint pain. Emu oil is very similar to the natural oils found in the human body and may help to ease muscle pain without leaving a greasy residue on the skin. Vitamin D supplements are quite popular among those who suffer from chronic muscle pain, but a doctor should be consulted first to make sure that there is indeed a vitamin D deficiency present.

Over-the-counter medications are popular choices in muscle pain remedies. Oral pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen may help to reduce inflammation and reduce pain. There are several types of over-the-counter creams and ointments available that are designed to ease muscle pain. Owing to the potential for developing allergic reactions, these creams or ointments should always be tested on a small area of skin before use on a large area.

Prescription medications may sometimes be useful muscle pain remedies. This is especially true if the pain is due to a chronic medical condition such as lupus or fibromyalgia. Prescription muscle relaxants may help to prevent muscle spasms, which often lead to painful muscles. These types of medications can have side effects such as nausea or drowsiness, so any concerns should be discussed with a doctor.