Long sitting hours, straining your neck doing a computer job, or staying connected throughout the day on a smartphone can cause a muscle ache. Muscular pain at strategic points in the neck, back, and hips may happen due to bad postures. Long-term injuries and ailments also lead to muscle spasms.
Muscle relaxers are a bright spot in bringing relief from mild to acute muscle pain. Their anti-inflammatory properties play an impactful role in reducing muscle contractions. Traditional home remedies and advanced options are safe and effective over prescription drugs and synthetic muscle relaxants. But most of us are not aware of nature-blessed treatments and take shortcuts in medication. Let us know the healing power of nature in treating muscle spasms.
When Are Muscle Relaxers Prescribed?
Muscle relaxants are not for regular consumption. Doctors prescribe them when the body shows muscular spasms due to stress or injury. They play an active role in lessening the spasm and involuntary twitching.
The following are the medical conditions where a muscle relaxer becomes essential:
- Neck pain
- Back pain (or whiplash)
- Tension headache
- Fibromyalgia
Since muscle relaxants have chemical compositions, their side effects are imminent. This creates the need for natural muscle relaxers, which are effective and safe.
Best Natural Muscle Relaxers
If you want to calm down the muscle pain without resorting to prescriptions, take the help.
Plants and medicinal herbs are useful muscle relaxants that have no competition. Here are some effective natural ways to manage muscle pain. The remedies suggested below have many benefits.
1. Kratom
Kratom extracts in the form of capsules or powder have anti-inflammatory benefits to reduce muscle soreness. One of the active compounds in it is Mitragynine useful for patients struggling with arthritis and rheumatism.
Kratom capsules are 100% natural and have no preservatives and additives. They come in soft gelatin, which makes them easy to consume. For those who are particular about taste, they can opt for capsules to mask the taste of bulk kratom powder. There are different strains of kratom that you can buy online.
2. Turmeric
Curcumin in turmeric is a powerful substance that controls inflammation. One journal, Oncogene has established curcumin in turmeric as a useful anti-inflammatory compound against OTC pain-killers like Ibuprofen and Tylenol.
Daily exposure to environmental toxins can cause body inflammation and severe diseases like cancer. Turmeric helps in body purification through liver detox. Other benefits of turmeric include reducing depression and helping normalize blood sugar levels. To make the most of turmeric, add it to meals, a pinch in lukewarm water, and boiling milk. The anti-inflammatory potency of turmeric is true in medical science.
3. Peppermint
Peppermint is a suggested remedy for muscle inflammation, particularly in legs and back. Its anti-inflammatory virtues in the form of menthol cast a cooling effect on sore muscles. Peppermint helps in controlling bouts of spasms.
Peppermint is a natural and versatile therapy. It adds a refreshing tinge to toothpaste, mint, and gums. Add a few drops of menthol oil to a bath for muscle pain relief. Or you can massage the oil of peppermint to aching muscles for five minutes for relief. Mint-infused tea is a hot beverage that you can make by putting mint leaves in boiling water. Drinking several cups of mint tea in a day brings suitable relief.
4. Protein Powder
Active exercise can cause muscle inflammation. Taking proteins after the fitness session can reduce muscle pain. A review study done in women showed that casein and whey protein supplements helped in reducing muscle damage.
In another study, 16 marathon runners who took carbohydrate and protein experienced fewer soreness symptoms in muscles than those who took only the carbohydrate. Protein powders are available on eCommerce shopping sites at a discounted price.
5. Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil
CBD oil is an all-natural, safe and effective treatment for muscular pain. The anti-inflammatory properties of a cannabis plant work on the swollen and sore muscles. It also treats severe ailments like migraine, cancer, anxiety, and depression.
Chemical messengers in the human brain send contraction signals to the muscles. Inadequate supply of endocannabinoids leads to increased muscular contraction. CBD can enhance the endocannabinoid supply in the body, resulting in muscle relaxation. The ideal dosage of CBD oil should not be more than 1500 mg/day, or you can start with something less. The tinctures come in many concentrations. In some cases, CBD may interfere with other medications, so get a doctor’s opinion before consuming CBD.
Mode of Consumption
The intake of most natural muscle relaxants is through the oral route. The same is with cannabis extract taken as a mouth spray once or twice a day. Start with a low to medium dose. When you find your body adjusting to cannabis as a natural remedy, then increase the frequency.
It is wise to combine any natural remedy for muscle relaxants with diet and lifestyle modifications to strike the right effect.
Final Thoughts
Sleep is the best natural remedy for an overstressed body. It eases the stress of tensed muscles. Tested remedies like ice packs and heating pads help your body gain immediate relief and rejuvenation. Undue stress from external forces, such as alcohol and sugar, impacts the muscles causing further strain. Eat a healthy diet, walk, run, smile, laugh, and see life getting back to normal.
