When your muscle is sore, it means you have either pushed yourself very hard or you are doing something that you haven’t done before. Muscle pain is not uncommon after exercise or rigorous sports activity, but your muscle should not remain sore every day.
It is important to know that muscle soreness and aches can happen to both adults and children. In most instances, aching muscles are nothing to worry about and will go without medical treatment, but depending on the severity and cause of the soreness, it can cause mild to extreme discomfort.
What’s Making My Muscles Sore?
Muscle aches or soreness is also known as myalgia, can affect any area of the body that has muscles. It’s normal to have sore muscles some hours after working out, playing sports, or even when you do serious housework. This is especially the case if you did something unusual or you kick up the intensity of your exercise or increase the length or duration of your workout. Some other rampant causes of muscle ache include:
Stress
Stress can cause muscle aches. People who are stressed may discover that their muscles may ache as the body struggles to combat inflammation or infection.
Sprains and strains
Strains, sprains, and other trauma can cause muscle pain and discomfort. A particular area of your body can become stiff and ache when injured. Pulling your muscles may also cause the muscle to be sore.
Sleep deficiencies
As sleep allows the body to rest and recuperate, your muscles may ache if you don’t get enough sleep.
Too much physical activity
Being unused to exercise, trying new exercises, failure to warm up or stretch properly before exercising, and exercising with more intensity are all factors that can lead to muscle aches and soreness.
Infections, diseases, and hereditary conditions
Different medical issues can cause muscle aches. Some that mostly affect the muscles include anemia, arthritis, influenza also known as flu, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, pneumonia, mononucleosis, and a host of other conditions.
How Can I Prevent Sore Muscles?
You might prevent muscle aches that occur due to tension, stress, and intense physical activity by doing:
- stretch before exercise
- exercise regularly to keep muscles constantly toned
- warm-up before and cool down after exercise
- take regular breaks if sitting for long periods
Most causes of muscle aches are benign, but persistent aching may require medical care.
Treating Sore Muscles
When nursing sore muscles, applying heat will feel good when applied, but the damage will not lessen or go away soon and indirect ice – an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel is the best for immediate relief. Ice the sore area right after the activity to stop inflammation, use heat later to increase blood flow to the area.
You can also take acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) like aspirin or ibuprofen to help ease the discomfort. Do not use NSAIDs regularly as consistent use can reduce your muscle’s ability to repair itself. Also check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have ulcers, kidney disease, liver disease, or other conditions as you may need to avoid some medications.
Sometimes soothing sore muscles require more than over-the-counter pain relievers or home remedies. If your pain is severe or lasts for more than a few days, then you should follow this link because muscle pain that comes on quickly and feels intense might be a sign that you’ve injured yourself.
Solutions For Your Muscle Pain That You Should Try
In most cases, muscle pain gets healed on its own after a few days, but if it doesn’t, you can try some of these simple and effective home remedies.
Epsom salts
Rich in magnesium sulfate, Epsom salts are a natural ingredient to relax sore muscles. Mix a cup of Epsom salt in a warm tub of water and soak aching muscles in the water till it cools down. You can do this three times a week for relief. This method works like magic for aching muscles. However, if you suffer from a heart problem or diabetes consult a doctor before trying this.
Apple cider vinegar
You can try mixing a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in water for consumption or apply it directly to the affected area. It has anti-inflammatory and alkalizing properties that help to reduce muscle pain and inflammation.
Essential oils
Some essential oils also help provide relief from muscle pain. You can try lemongrass, peppermint, and marjoram essential oil for cramps. For tension marjoram, peppermint, lavender essential oils are the best. Add one or two drops of essential oils in a teaspoon of carrier oils such as coconut oil, olive oil and massage the affected area.
Cherry juice
Tart cherry juice is packed with antioxidants that help to reduce muscle soreness. Recent studies have shown tart cherry juice is effective to get relief from soreness. You can add this to your drinks after a heavy workout day.
There are several great ways to reduce your muscle pain that don’t involve medication. A natural treatment reduces pain in a small amount but combined with other natural treatments, you will dramatically cut down your pain. Try the ideas above, so you can stick to one that suits your lifestyle.