Home Remedies and Herbs for Muscle Pain

Muscle pain and aches refers to pain in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, or soft connective tissue called fascia.¹ This pain can range from mild to severe and can affect a single muscle or multiple muscles at once. It can occur anywhere in the body and typically heals on its own, although some muscle pain can last up to several months.² The location, severity, and treatment options for muscle pain depends greatly on the cause.

What Causes Muscle Pain?

Muscle pain has many different causes. It most often occurs due to overuse or injury when performing physically demanding activities. If muscle pain results from intense exercise or overuse, the pain typically appears immediately. Tension or stress on a muscle as well as injury, such as a strain or sprain, can lead to muscle pain.¹

Muscle pain causes aren’t only tied to physical activity. Infections like the flu can cause muscle pain throughout the body as can disorders like lupus, which affects the body’s connective tissue.1 Other muscle pain causes include:

• Angioedema
• Hepatitis
• HIV and AIDs
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Roundworms
• Food poisoning
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Lyme disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Certain drugs

Muscle Pain Symptoms

Muscle pain itself is a symptom, often indicating an injury or an underlying medical condition. In the case of injury, stress, or tension, muscle pain is typically localized.⁴ Individuals with an illness or infection are more likely to experience widespread muscle pain symptoms. Talk to your doctor if your muscle pain is accompanied by dizziness, trouble breathing, high fever, stiff neck, or extreme muscle weakness.⁵ Severe injuries may also require medical attention.

Muscle pain from common minor injuries can often be treated through at-home self-care.^1,5 Start by resting the muscle for several days. Apply ice several times per day during your resting period. To help with the swelling, use a compression bandage, and elevate the injury site. Gently massaging the affected area can help as well. To help strengthen the muscle before returning to regular activities, consider starting with low-intensity exercises like walking or swimming. Various muscle pain herbs can help relax muscles, improve healing, and reduce inflammation and swelling.

If you experience full-body muscle pain or if these self-care tips don’t help, it may be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Consult your physician for a proper diagnosis.

References

1. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003178.htm
2. http://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/muscle-pain/basics/definition/sym-20050866
3. http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/lookup/conditions-for-pain-muscle
4. http://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/muscle-pain/basics/causes/sym-20050866
5. http://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/muscle-pain/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050866