athlete answers would be sincerly appreciated.
i just started coming back and now am a little sore.
does tiger balm cure the problem or aid in pain managment?
2006-12-15 04:04:14 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Martial Arts
^ right.
i know tiger balm to increase circulation to whatever area it's applied to. increased circulation means increased blood flow, which quickens the healing process in that area.
i would also recommend some light stretching after your practice as well as a hot bath that night with epsom salt and eucalyptus oil.
also, it in itself won't cure soreness but it can help. if it's muscle soreness due to you just shaking the rust off, stretching, massage, and proper nutrition will best alleviate what you feel. massage has a similar affect of tiger balm...increasing the circulation to speed healing.
2006-12-15 05:21:19 · answer #1 · answered by anthony 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you get sore after practicing, what you are feeling is so-called "micro tears" in your muscle fibers and a build up of lactic acids. Nothing actually "cures" the problem except rest- that is, Tiger Balm, Icy Hot, Tylenol, Alleve, etc all just help manage the pain and swelling. You need to actually rest the sore body part before it will heal and eventually grow more toned again and get "used to" the workout. However, Tiger Balm, Icy Hot and other such topical rubs do increase blood flow to the problem area, so it does help healing in that way. This also helps contribute to added swelling in the area, so be sure to ice yourself as another way to reduce that swelling and help kill the pain.
I play a LOT of softball as well as train and teach in Karate. I have several students who like to joke that I have a truckload of ibuprofen delivered after every tourny. At 37, my body has taken a LOT of abuse. I highly suggest using Tiger Balm right after your workout, then ice it down after you get home. Just before bedtime, take a couple Ibuprofen. When you take a shower, do NOT linger too long. Even though it feels good, it will add to any swelling you may have. Finally, in the morning, take 800mg of Ibuprofen and continue this 800mg dose every 8 hours and not the 400-600mg every 4-6 hours like it says on the bottle.
Doctors have assured me that this is safe as long as you have no pre-existing condition which would prevent you from taking it normally. It really knocks the pain in the head when you most need it- early mornings and right after workouts.
Hope this helps...
Sensei Cox
2006-12-15 10:21:40 · answer #2 · answered by hitman142002 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tiger balm soothes the pain and increase circulation to the applied area. I uses Flex All and Icy Hot.
2006-12-15 04:54:36 · answer #3 · answered by spidertiger440 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tiger Balm is good only for pain management.
2006-12-15 04:10:12 · answer #4 · answered by Maverick 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tiger Balm is fine for soreness, but for physical damage, look for "Dit Da Jow." Stinks like hell, but it helps speed up the healing of bruises considerably.
2006-12-15 11:40:34 · answer #5 · answered by Tim D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tiger Balm is the same, no better, no worse, than Ben Gay or Icy Hot.
2006-12-15 05:46:29 · answer #6 · answered by John S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As Tony the Tiger would say "It's GREATTT."
2006-12-18 22:31:34 · answer #7 · answered by Smile Everyday 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
increased blood flow can increase bruising too. but 1 billion asians cant be wrong
2006-12-15 06:19:22 · answer #8 · answered by SAINT G 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋