Is there any alternative medicine for muscle soreness?

Question

Hey so it's the start of the New Year so of course everyone is running more including me. I get so sore the day after a good run. I'm not fond of the typical bengay stuff b/c it still too smelly even if it says "now with no smell". I ice down my legs but it gets messy plus it's so freaking cold outside anyways. I guess I'll stick to OTC pain reliever pills. Does anyone have advice on muscle soreness from the natural/alternative medicine perspective? Thanks! Caroline

Answer 1

Do you have any heating pads? Those work great--my sister uses hers for her back (she has bad scholiosis so her back always hurts, and she uses it during those menstrual weeks too) all the time. You could also put some rice or beans of some kind(dry of course) into a new long men's sock, tie the end, and stick it into the microwave for about a minute or so. Some places sell things like that (my sister's got one of those too!) in like country-ish stores, home stores, or places like Cracker Barrel. They look kind of like pillows, but they're filled with rice or beans, and most have pretty designs on them.

I'll search for a website with one of those one it so you can see, then I'll edit my answer :-)

EDIT:::
This link has pictures of those microwavable heating pads:
http://www.snuggleyheatingpad.com/Fabrics.htm

And this tells you how to make your own (I haven't tried the directions from this site, so you may want to just buy one or use the sock) :
http://www.make-stuff.com/formulas/heating_pad.html

Happy exercising!

Answer 2

Good for you! A few things to try.

Elevation. Put your legs up higher than your heart for a good hour or so. Nice and relaxing too with a book, music or tv.

Ice. You've already tried ice, but worth trying again as it is great at reducing inflamation (which keeps the soreness going for longer).Try an "ice bath" if the pain is unbearable and you're game. Buy 2 or 3 bags of ice from the shops. Big ones. Fill the bath with the ice and some water to a level where once you're sitting in it, the level comes up to your waist. stay there for 1 minute. Then get out for 1 minute. Repeat 9 more times. The first 2 times is quite tough, but it does get easier and guaranteed to reduce pain and inflammation. Especially good if you're having trouble getting to sleep due to exercise related "restless legs".

You can get anti inflammatory drugs over the counter, but they're not great for your kidneys long term, so I try to stay away from them.

Massage is great at getting the blood circulating around those sore areas again. Blood flow is critical since it's your bodys way of delivering nutrients it needs to repair itself. A good sports massage will always be more benificial than a "touchy feely feel good" one, but I just take what I can get ;-)

Diet. Eat healthy foods after exercise. Your body needs quality food if it is to quickly replace what has been spent through exercise. I think we both know what i'm talking about here. If you work hard in a run then "reward" yourself with junk food, muscle and ligament regeneration will take a little longer than if you had consumed fresh, healthy foods.

Being consistent with your exercise too will mean that you will recover quicker next time. Don't go all out so that you can hardly walk. You'll be less likely to train again. Much better to do less more often, especially in the early stages.

Number 1 though is sleep. Good quality sleep. The most efficient muscle repair happens while you are only dreaming about exercise.

Answer 3

Yes, There are several herbal medicinal oils in the Ayurvedic System of medicene for your kind of health problems . You have to apply the oil gently on the area where you have the muscular pain. You will get quick relief. I can name a few oils for you but , i wonder whether you could find them in your area. 'Sarshapadee oil' is one product i can recommend for external application. There is an ointment called 'Musclegard' which is also a herbal based product.
However, the use of ice on the paining muscles is no good. In fact you should use hot water instead. Pain killers are a temporary solution but not a remady for muscle soreness.

Also, please remember that, all types of herbal oils have their own generic smells which may be unpleasent. but you have to take it as medicine and bare with it for a while.

Answer 4

You can get homeopathic Arnica in a 30C from most health stores. Take 3-4 tablets in the first hour a few more that day, spaced out in time and thereafter 3/day. A couple of days should see you right. The remedy releases the built up lactic acid crystals in the muscle that cause you pain.

Answer 5

Soak in warm Espom Salt bath. But read package on the effects it might have on those with high blood pressure & diabetes, potassium chloride does have some side effects! And stay hydrated!

Answer 6

There is nutritional suplement at local gnc,or vitamin world called Mucsle Milk that naturally replenishes all nutrients lost during workouts and drasticly cuts down recovery times bettwen them as well.

Answer 7

Soak in a warm tub with one cup of emsom salts for about 20 minutes

Answer 8

Eat cream of mushroom soup after exercising. It is good for muscle aches.

Answer 9

Heating pads and nice long warm baths with salts to relax

Answer 10

Mangosteen fruit is full of xanthones which is an anti-inflammatory. That is what I take and it has worked wonders for me.