Epsom salts: Soaking in a bath with warm water and Epsom salts or Magnesium flakes is a natural muscle relaxant and it can help to reduce swelling by drawing excess fluids out of the muscle and joint tissue. Aim for 20 minutes, three times a week
Ice packs: Rubbing in the direction the muscle runs,so you stretch as well as massage the muscle, this can help to reduce inflammation and can also numb the nerve endings relieving pain.
Heat: Heat can also help ease your discomfort, it increases blood flow to sore muscles, loosens stiff joints and can distract the brain from pain:
Try heat therapy using:
- Hot water bottles
- Wheat bags
- Gel-filled pads
- Electric heating pads
- Hot baths
- Gentle exercise or stretching:
- Light walking
- Tai chi
- Yoga
- Pilates
These help to strengthen the joints and muscles, relieving muscle soreness and increasing flexibility.
Foods and drinks:
Beetroot: Beetroot juice is rich is antioxidants and phytonutrients and promotes muscle regeneration.
Sour cherries: Cherry juice helps to soothe sore muscles, may have anti-inflammatory effects and contains antioxidants which may help your muscles recover more quickly.
Ginger: Eating ginger regularly can reduce muscle soreness, and ginger is known to have anti-iflammatory properties.
Fish: The omega-3 fatty acids contained in oily fish reduces inflammation.
Apple cider vinegar: Drinking apple cider vinegar or rubbing it directly on the area of the sore muscle or joint can help to relieve pain.
Turmeric: Turmeric is an excellent remedy for joint and muscle pain.Its active ingredients Curcumin is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D deficiency may cause muscle aches and fatigue. Vitamin D supplement aids the absorption of calcium to build strong muscles and bones, supports the immune system and can help improve energy and mood.
Massaging with essential oils: Adding 10 drops of essential oils to 1 ounce of massage oil and gently rubbing into muscles will help increase blood flow, some useful essential oils to use are.
Lavender Oil: Lavender is one of the most effective natural muscle relaxers, it helps soothe muscles and allows it to relax.
Peppermint Oil: Recommended for use if you suffer from headaches,back pain and leg pain and may help improve blood circulation.
Rosemary Oil: Useful for relaxing muscles,bones and the mind. Recommended for people with arthritis or women during their menstrual cycles.
Frankincense Oil: Has many benefits as well as being aiding pain relief it also may help boost your immune system and reduce stress.
Chamomile Oil: This natural muscle relaxant is given anti-inflammatory properties and improvers blood circulation in muscles.
Lemongrass: Lemongress is excellent for relieving back and neck pain.It can facilitate the circulation of the blood as a result, spasms related to muscle tension may become less intense.
At Orchard Barn we have some preblended formula, we also have a wide range of high quality essential oils.
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