Treatment FAQ

what is the best treatment for muscle pain

by Tatyana Beatty IV Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Rest and elevate the painful area. Alternate between ice packs to reduce inflammation and heat to improve blood flow. Soak in a warm bath with Epsom salts or take a warm shower. Take over-the-counter pain relievers (aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen).Feb 11, 2021

What pain reliever is better for muscle pain?

The Best and Safest Ways to Ease Pain

  • Acetaminophen. Acetaminophen (Tylenol and generic) is available OTC. ...
  • Anti-inflammatory Medications. NSAID pain relievers are available in OTC and prescription-­strength versions of aspirin (Bayer, Bufferin, and ­generic), ibuprofen (Advil and generic), and naproxen (Aleve and generic).
  • Opioids. ...
  • Muscle Relaxers. ...

What is the best cure for muscle pain?

acupuncture, in which therapists insert hair-thin sterilized needles into precise points in the body to release blocked energy spinal manipulation, in which chiropractors apply pressure directly to the body to correct spinal alignment therapeutic massage to relax aching muscles

What is the best muscle pain relief?

  • People with chronic pain, such as back pain or joint discomfort
  • Athletes who experience normal aches and pains
  • Athletes who have sustained an injury
  • People who prefer to avoid oral pain relief medications
  • Anyone experiencing pain as a result of an inflammatory condition such as arthritis

What is the best home remedy for sore muscles?

Natural Remedies For Body Aches and Pains

  1. Epsom Salt Soak. A classic remedy for sore muscles and joints is to take a relaxing bath with Epsom Salts. ...
  2. Hot and Cold Packs. For a more immediate relief to joint pain, try a hot-and-cold approach to pain management. ...
  3. Getting Enough Movement & Exercise. ...
  4. Collagen & Other Natural Supplements. ...
  5. Neurologically-Based Chiropractic Care. ...

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What relieves muscle pain fast?

To help relieve muscle soreness, try:Gentle stretching.Muscle massage.Rest.Ice to help reduce inflammation.Heat to help increase blood flow to your muscles. ... Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicine, such as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen (brand name: Advil).More items...•

What is the best tablet for muscle pain?

Muscle relaxants may help reduce pain, and improve movement and range of motion, but your doctor will likely recommend that you first try acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)....Over-the-counter Options for Muscle SpasmsAspirin (Bayer, Excedrin)Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)Naproxen (Aleve)

What is a natural remedy for muscle pain?

4 home remedies for muscle soreness and painEpsom salts. Epsom salt is rich in magnesium sulfate and is a natural ingredient to relax sore muscles. ... Apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is also recommended for sore muscles. ... Essential oils. Few essential oils are also helpful for muscle pain relief. ... Cherry juice. ... Tips.

What medicine can heal muscle pain?

Anti-inflammatory medicines or acetaminophen (Tylenol) also help reduce pain and swelling. As the pain decreases, you can use heat on the muscle. Stretching and light exercises to bring blood to the injured area can also be useful. In general, stretching and warm compresses are helpful before exercises.

What causes muscle pain?

The most common causes of muscle pain are tension, stress, overuse and minor injuries. This type of pain is usually localized, affecting just a few muscles or a small part of your body.

What is best for muscle inflammation?

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and Naproxen (Aleve). Its anti-inflammatory properties are better for muscle soreness and body aches that typically stem from inflammation.

What can I drink to relax my muscles?

The 7 Best Natural Muscle RelaxersChamomile.Cherry juice.Blueberry smoothies.Cayenne pepper.Vitamin D.Magnesium.Rest.

When should I be worried about muscle pain?

Schedule an office visit if you have: Signs of infection, such as redness and swelling, around a sore muscle. Muscle pain after you start taking or increase the dosage of a medication — (particularly statins — medications used to control cholesterol. Muscle pain that doesn't improve with self-care.

How do you know if pain is internal or muscular?

Somatic pain is in the muscles, bones, or soft tissues. Visceral pain comes from your internal organs and blood vessels. Somatic pain is intense and may be easier to pinpoint than visceral pain. That's because your muscles, bones, and skin are supplied with a lot of nerves to detect pain.

How can I speed up muscle recovery?

Read on for seven tips for muscle injury recovery that will speed up or improve your recovery.Stay Hydrated. ... Reduce Inflammation With Cherry Juice. ... Increase or Improve Sleep. ... Compress the Affected Muscle. ... Switch to Low-Impact Exercise During Injury Recovery. ... Up Your Protein Intake. ... Limit Alcohol and/or Tobacco Consumption.

What are the symptoms of muscle pain?

Muscle Strain SymptomsSwelling, bruising, or redness due to the injury.Pain at rest.Pain when the specific muscle or the joint in relation to that muscle is used.Weakness of the muscle or tendons.Inability to use the muscle at all.

How does bioelectric therapy work?

Bioelectric therapy relieves pain by blocking pain messages to the brain. Bioelectric therapy also prompts the body to produce chemicals called endorphins (endorphins are also released by exercise) that decrease or eliminate painful sensations by blocking the message of pain from being delivered to the brain.

How does intrathecal drug delivery work?

The surgeon makes a pocket under the skin that's large enough to hold a medicine pump. The pump is usually about one inch thick and three inches wide. The surgeon also inserts a catheter , which carries pain medicine from the pump to the intrathecal space around the spinal cord. The implants deliver medicines such as morphine or a muscle relaxant directly to the spinal cord, where pain signals travel. For this reason, intrathecal drug delivery can provide significant pain control with a fraction of the dose that would be required with pills. In addition, the system can cause fewer side effects than oral medications because less medicine is required to control pain.

What is WebMD for chronic pain?

WebMD provides an overview of treatments for chronic pain, from surgery to herbal remedies.

What is trigger point injection?

Trigger point injection is used to treat muscle pain in the arms, legs, lower back, and neck. In addition, this approach has been used to treat fibromyalgia, tension headaches, and myofascial pain syndrome (chronic pain involving tissue that surrounds muscle) that does not respond to other treatment.

How long does Botox last?

Onabotulinumtoxina ( Botox) is a toxin that blocks signals from the nerves to the muscles. It can also be injected to alleviate chronic migraine headaches. The procedure involves multiple injections around the head and neck every 12 weeks and may alleviate pain for up to three months. Surgical Implants.

How thick is a spinal pump?

The pump is usually about one inch thick and three inches wide. The surgeon also inserts a catheter, which carries pain medicine from the pump to the intrathecal space around the spinal cord. The implants deliver medicines such as morphine or a muscle relaxant directly to the spinal cord, where pain signals travel.

What is the best treatment for pain?

Physical Therapy. Physical therapy helps to relieve pain by using special techniques that improve movement and function impaired by an injury or disability. Along with employing stretching, strengthening, and pain-relieving techniques, a physical therapist may use, among other things, TENS to aid treatment. Exercise.

Drugs used to treat Muscle Pain

The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition.

Alternative treatments for Muscle Pain

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Muscle Pain. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Muscle Pain.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

How to wrap a swollen heart?

Begin wrapping at the end farthest from your heart. Loosen the wrap if the pain increases, the area becomes numb or swelling is occurring below the wrapped area. Elevation. Elevate the injured area above the level of your heart, especially at night, which allows gravity to help reduce swelling.

How to stop swelling in a swollen ear?

Use an ice pack or slush bath of ice and water for 15 to 20 minutes each time and repeat every two to three hours while you're awake for the first few days after the injury. Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the area with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops.

What to look for in a physical exam for a ruptured tendon?

Diagnosis. During the physical exam, your doctor will check for swelling and points of tenderness. The location and intensity of your pain can help determine the extent and nature of the damage. In more severe injuries, where the muscle or tendon has been completely ruptured, your doctor may be able to see or feel a defect in the area of injury.

How long after muscle strain can you take ibuprofen?

Some doctors recommend avoiding over-the-counter pain medications that can increase your risk of bleeding — such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) — during the first 48 hours after a muscle strain. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can be helpful for pain relief during this time period.

What is the best treatment for a sprained limb?

Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can be helpful for pain relief during this time period. A physical therapist can help you to maximize stability and strength of the injured joint or limb. Your doctor may suggest that you immobilize the area with a brace or splint.

What is the best way to treat muscle strain?

For immediate self-care of a muscle strain, try the R.I.C.E. approach — rest, ice, compression, elevation:

Who to refer to for orthopedic surgery?

While you may initially consult your family physician, he or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in sports medicine or orthopedic surgery.

Why do my joints hurt?

Why joints hurt. Pain in your joints can have many different causes. For many people, joint pain is caused by arthritis, a group of conditions marked by inflammation in the joints. of adults in the United States have arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type ...

What can I do to help my arthritis pain?

Your doctor may first suggest that you treat the joint pain caused by arthritis with anti-inflammatory and pain medications. Here are some examples:

How to know if you need to see a doctor for joint pain?

When to see the doctor. While you can manage mild joint pain at home, make sure to see a doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms along with joint pain: fever. significantly swollen joints. joints that are red, tender, or warm to the touch. sudden numbness.

What is the best medication to relieve pain?

Over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve), reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. However, taking ibuprofen for a long period of time isn’t recommended due to the risk of stomach ulcers. Shop for OTC NSAIDs.

What is the most common type of arthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis. This type is caused by a breakdown of cartilage as you age. For others, joint pain may be caused by an injury or infection of the joints, or another condition, such as fibromyalgia or even depression. It can also be the result of poor posture or long periods of inactivity.

How to treat a swollen joint?

Cold treatment is also helpful for relieving inflammation in the joints. Wrap a gel ice pack in a towel and apply it to painful joints for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.

How does weight affect arthritis?

If you’re overweight, you can reduce joint pain and arthritis symptoms by maintaining a healthy weight. Added weight puts more pressure on your joints, particularly your knees, hips, and feet.

How to prevent muscle spasms in legs?

doing light stretching before and after you exercise. eating a healthy diet. Using kinesio tape or compression stockings may help prevent muscle spasms in your legs, according to a small study on runners. You may want to keep a record of when you get a muscle spasm, to see if it’s related to a particular activity.

What to do if you have muscle spasms in your back?

If your spasms are in your back, consider seeing a chiropractor. They may give you some targeted therapies and exercises to relieve your muscle spasms.

How long do you need to take muscle relaxants?

Muscle relaxants used for muscle spasms are called centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxants (SMRs), and are often only prescribed for 2- to 3-week periods.

What muscles are most commonly affected by cramps?

Muscle spasms or cramps are fairly common and most frequently occur in the leg muscles. But any muscles, including your back, hands, feet, or toes can spasm.

How to stop muscle spasms?

Here are some things to try: 1. Stretching. Stretching the area that has the muscle spasm can usually help improve or stop the spasm from occurring. Below are stretches for the muscles in your calves, thighs, back, and neck.

What is the best gel for muscle spasms?

Emollient gel made from curcuma longa (turmeric) and celery seed reportedly helps ease the pain and inflammation of a muscle spasm.

What is the best way to relieve muscle cramps?

Massage can be a great way to relieve physical pain and muscle cramps.

What is the best muscle rub for sore muscles?

From creams to gels to balms, apply one of these top-rated muscle rubs to ease your sore muscles and aching joints. This paraben-free, medical expert-recommended muscle rub has both fast- and long-acting effects, so you'll get lasting relief from muscle and joint pains.

What is the best cream for aching muscles?

This muscle rub from doTERRA feels seriously cold on contact. It comprises a blend of peppermint, wintergreen, and blue chamomile to cool and soothe aching muscles and joints. And, as the name implies, this cream will target the deep spots that others have a hard time reaching.

How many ounces is a roller ball?

The classic formula comes in a 2.5-ounce, roller-ball bottle, so you don't need to worry about it getting through airport security or spilling all over your carry-on. You can even use it in-flight to cool and then relax your muscles. But if your skin is especially sensitive, be sure to consult your dermatologist before using.

Can you use Biofreeze on your hands?

If you'd rather not get your hands messy from applying muscle rub cream, this Biofreeze gel rub goes on mess-free with a massaging roller ball, making it ideal for on-the-go application. Use this on small muscle areas, like your ankle, wrist, or elbow, to quickly feel the pain subside.

Does menthol help with muscle pain?

This paraben-free, medical expert-recommended muscle rub has both fast- and long-acting effects, so you'll get lasting relief from muscle and joint pains. The menthol has a rather pleasant odor that dissipates quickly, leaving your aching body feeling cool and calm.

Can you take a muscle rub with menthol?

According to research, some muscle rubs that do contain topical pain relievers like NSAIDs may be helpful if you're injured (and especially if you can't take oral pain relievers due to gastrointestinal issues). Other balms or gels, especially those containing menthol, provide more of a cooling sensation. While they may not treat the acute inflammation at the heart of your injury, they can help tame some of that pain. Plus, the act of massaging the cream into your muscles may also loosen you up a bit.

Is muscle rub real?

You know this muscle rub is the real deal: It has over 20,000 5-star reviews on Amazon and comes highly recommended by doctors. The combination of MSM (an inflammation-reducing supplement), vitamin B-6, and arnica aims to stop the acute inflammation of your pain, rather than just masking it.

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Causes of Systemic Muscle Pain

When to See A Healthcare Provider

Self-treatment: Self- care steps that may be helpful in some less- serious cases:
  • Rest
  • Over the counter medication can be useful to relieve pain
  • Ice packs or warm packs can be used to relieve pain
  • Regularly stretching can be done
  • Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
See a doctor if you notice:
  • Pain does not subside in few days
  • Rash, tick bite, redness or swelling
  • The pain soon after taking any medications
  • Fever

See a doctor immediately if you notice:
  • Difficulty in breathing or swallowing
  • Vomiting
  • Trouble catching your breath
  • Stiffness
  • Inability to move the affected muscles

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

  • If your muscle pain is worsening or persistent, it's important to see your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis. You should also seek immediate medical care if muscle pain is accompanied by some or all of the following symptoms: 1. Trouble breathing 2. Trouble swallowing 3. Profound muscle weakness 4. Stiff neck 5. High fever 6. Confusion 7. Seizures 8. Muscle pain that is extre…
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Summary

  • The diagnosis of muscle pain starts with a detailed history and physical exam. Lab and imaging tests may also be ordered.
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A Word from Verywell

  • Once the cause of your muscle pain is diagnosed, your healthcare provider will create a treatment plan that addresses both the symptomatic muscle pain and the underlying cause.
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