We’ve all had to deal with muscle pain at one time or another. Whether you partake in high-intensity sports or lower impact such as cycling, yoga and swimming you may experience muscle pain from a range of different types of exercise. Whether you have a deep ache or sharp pains, you want to deal with it quickly. While many of us will experience muscle pain differently, there are several over-the-counter options available in pharmacies and grocery stores. There are also some things that can be done at home to help manage muscle pain, including chest muscle pain, back muscle pain or neck muscle pain. Read on to find out more about causes, types and how you can help yourself.

Sick young woman holding a hot water bottle against her sore stomach

What causes muscle pain?

There are several reasons you may struggle with muscle pain, some of which are common and can be relieved at home, and others that may need help from a medical professional.

Reasons for muscle pain include but aren’t limited to:

Injuries

One of the most common reasons behind muscle pain is injuries. Overusing your muscles can cause muscle pain. And seeing as over 70% of Australians between the ages of 18-64 exercise for 150 minutes or more, it’s something many of us will encounter. Consult a healthcare professional if you think you have an injury that is causing the muscle pain that is causing your distress.

Exercise

After exercising, you may find that muscles ache or stiffen for a few days; this is normal and known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). It usually lasts 2-5 days, and relief can be found at home, which we’ll discuss later. If you have pain lasting longer than 5 days, consult a medical professional.

What are the different types of muscle pain?

Depending on the cause and your own body's reaction to pain, there are several different types of muscle pain that you may experience, including:

  • Cramping – a short and intense muscle contraction
  • Stiffness and soreness – caused by muscle inflammation
  • Spasms – a more severe form of muscle stiffness
  • Muscle tears – slight tear of the muscle
  • Pulled or strained muscles – larger tear
  • Full muscle tears – the most severe kind
Sick woman lying on the sofa holding stomach in pain

Exercises and stretches for muscle pain relief

But what about muscle pain relief? For many kinds of muscle pain, including chest, back and neck muscle pain, you can manage them at home with exercises and naturally-derived pain relief options. If the pain is unbearable or continues despite trying to help yourself, consult your healthcare professional.

Stretches

Knee to Chest – Bring your knee up to your chest, holding your shin with your hands and pulling up slightly so you feel a slight stretch. Hold for 10 seconds before repeating on the other leg.

Arm Circles – Hold your arms to your side, parallel to the floor, then make small circular motions with your arms, alternating clockwise and anticlockwise.

Leg Swing – Similar to the arm swing. Hold on to something steady and create about a foot of space between you and what you’re holding on to. Then, swing your leg back and forth to a comfortable height.

Exercising

When you have muscle soreness, there are some light activities you can consider as gentle recovery exercises, which include:

  • Swimming laps
  • Walking or easy hiking
  • Cycling
  • Resistance band exercises
  • Yoga

All of these can be done at your own pace, meaning you can take the time to listen to your body while also helping it recover. Don’t forget, if you feel that you’re injured or aren’t feeling better after a few days, talk to your healthcare provider.

Natural-based muscle pain relief

There are a number of natural remedies for muscle pain and inflammation, some of which have been used for thousands of years. Explore some below:

Boswellia

Boswellia, which is also known as Indian Frankincense, has been used as a natural remedy to treat pain and physical dysfunction which can be caused by chronic illnesses which include osteoarthiritis and inflammatory bowel disease. But how does it work? It is thought that Boswellic acid may interfere with cell functions that cause pain and inflammation, therefore relieving pain.

Turmeric

Turmeric and its compound curcumin have traditionally been used as antiseptic and anti-inflammatory medicine. Originally it comes from the ginger family and you may recognise it from certain curries. Curcumin has been shown to decrease inflammation and can taken in supplement form as it is harder to absorb through food alone.

As we have seen there are many ways that you can treat muscle pain at home; however, if pain persists or you are struggling, contact your healthcare professional.

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