Chronic muscle pain is considered an epidemic in the world because nearly 1.5 billion people are suffering from it. In the United States, chronic muscle pain is the prime cause of long-term disability. Musculoskeletal pain causes a disturbance in the bones, muscles, joints, nerves, ligaments, and tendons. They can be the reason for acute or chronic muscle pain.
Musculoskeletal pain has irregular causes and symptoms. Let’s discuss the various types of musculoskeletal pain:
- Bone pain – This type of pain is deep, dull or penetrating. It mostly occurs due to the injury. But be sure that the pain is not related to any fracture or tumors.
- Muscle pain – The pain is mild but it can still be pondering. The main causes of muscle pain are injury, low blood flow in muscles, infection, or tumor. It can cause muscle spasms and cramps.
- Tendon and ligament pain – Pain caused in the tendon or ligament usually occurs due to sprains. This type of pain worsens when the particular area is stretched or moved.
- Fibromyalgia – This is a condition that mostly occurs in muscle, ligaments, and tendon. There is no particular place of pain as it can occur in multiple locations.
- Joint pain – Joint pain always provokes stiffness, aches and “arthritis” pain. The range of the pain is from mild to severe. Moving the joint may worsen the pain. It also gives rise to symptoms like swelling and joint inflammation.
- Tunnel syndrome – Musculoskeletal pain evokes pain due to nerve compression. Carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and tarsal tunnel syndrome are well-known forms of tunnel syndrome. The main reason for this type of pain is overuse of the organ. The pain spreads along the path of the nerve.
A study states that 33% of the muscular pain occurs due to the overuse of a particular part of the body. Poor posture and prolonged immobilization are also believed to be the causes of musculoskeletal pain.
Let me list out some adverse effects of a muscular pain:
- Worsen the movement of joints and muscles
- Stiffen the body and begins to ache
- Causes fatigue
- Disturbance in sleep
- Trembling muscles
- Muscle inflammation
- Pulling of muscle
If you find such symptoms in your body, immediately contact your doctor to diagnose your pain. The doctor conducts a series of examinations to identify the source of the pain and provides with the best treatment to get rid of your pain. There are several options of medications available in present times. However, if you are seeking natural methods to get relief, refer to the following techniques.
The techniques shown here are void of medications:
- Gentle Exercise – When you are suffering from chronic pain it is best to take rest until pain subsides, right? Not necessarily. Taking rest for a long time can worsen the condition of the pain and even reduce the muscle strength. Strengthening and stretching your muscles can help you to reduce and even eliminate the musculoskeletal pain. Start with the gentle stretching exercise and brisk walking in the beginning to examine the effects. If it works out for you, try to increase the intensity of workout at your pace. Before starting any exercise regime, it is better to consult a doctor and get a proper feedback, otherwise, it may aggravate your condition.
- Massage – Muscle pain occurs when they form a knot due to overuse of a muscle or an injury. It is always beneficial to go for a massage. A massage can be a great way to get rid of the muscle knots. It reduces the mild pain in your body. Massage can also relieve you from the stress and tension that can act as a catalyst for the musculoskeletal pain. Moreover, getting a massage on a regular basis can prevent recurrence of a muscular pain.
- Ice Therapy – Ice is considered a natural healer for muscle pain. This therapy is also known as cryotherapy. Rubbing the ice on the affected area reduces swelling and soreness. Cold curtail the blood flow in the particular muscles and nerve activity to scale down the pain. It will be beneficial to use cold therapy for a short period of time, several times a day. But avoid doing it for a long time as it can cause damage to your nerve, tissue, and skin.
- Hot Compress – Heat therapy can be useful in improving the blood circulation in the particular area of the pain. It increases muscle flexibility. It soothes and relaxes the muscles and even heals the damaged tissues. Heat therapy is beneficial if done for a long time. 15 to 20 minutes of this therapy can solve the problem of stiff muscles and tension. But beware, do not use heat when you have open wounds. Furthermore, always consult a doctor if you are suffering from hypertension or heart ailments before enrolling for the therapy.
- Aquatic Therapy – Physicists also recommend enrolling for aquatic therapy. Exercises done in a warm therapeutic pool can be favorable to dwindle the musculoskeletal pain. The buoyancy of the water helps to mitigate the strain and encourages stretching and strengthening of muscles. Swimming in a warm pool increases the blood circulation, reduces tension from the muscles and helps to get rid of sore areas.
- Electric Stimulation – The transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator, also known as TENS is a battery-powered small machine. It is used to produce low voltage electric current with the help of electrodes attached to your body. The current is beneficial in releasing the endorphins that override the pain in your body. However, the effectiveness of the therapy has not been proven by controlled experiments. Hence, it is better to consult a doctor before undergoing for electric stimulation.
- Bath With Epsom Salt – Magnesium sulfate present in the Epsom salt is suitable in assuaging your paining muscles and minimizing stress. Dissolve two cups of Epsom salt in your bathwater and take a long bath to get rid of the pain.
- Mint Balm – The calming sensation from mint helps desensitize the pain. Grind and pound a handful of mint leaves and add water to make a paste. Daub this onto your sore muscles and enjoy the relaxation.
- Rosemary – It is a herb that works well against body pain. This is mainly due to its exceptional anti-inflammatory and analgesic characteristics, which can combat body pain exquisitely and naturally.
- Chiropractic Care – It is an effective way to comfort you from your muscle stiffness and soreness. A chiropractor may be able to align your spine accurately. A small lever arm thrust is applied to the displaced vertebra to improve the functionality, disturbance in the nerve, and increase the motion of the spine. Such therapy is widely used as it is non-invasive and doesn’t cause any pain or side effects.
These techniques are beneficial in soothing your musculoskeletal pain. None of the methods contains medications. But in recent times, chiropractic care is extensively used as it has an edge over other methods. Let me show you some of the advantages of chiropractic care:
- Helps the people suffering from high blood pressure
- Aids your neck and lower back to have an easy motion through adjustments
- Cures scoliosis
- Gives relief from sciatica nerve problem
- Diminishes the inflammation in your nerve
- Cures a headache
- Recovers neurological conditions
- Enhances athletic performance
To wrap up the discussion, trying out the above-mentioned techniques and chiropractic care can be an efficient way of getting a recovery from a chronic musculoskeletal pain in a non-invasive manner. Surgeries and medications may prove harmful to your health and even cost a fortune.
Author Bio
Hello Readers !! Natalie and Caitlyn Bell are the founders of Healtholine, They started Healtholine to provide a platform where they could share informative articles related to health, fitness, beauty, weight loss etc Natalie is a featured author at various authoritative blogs in the health and fitness industry. Connect with both sisters to know more
