No matter how much we warm up, stretch at the end of the sports session, we often tend to reap the rewards of our efforts at more or less D+2: muscle aches and pains. They manifest themselves mainly as pain after intense physical activity or a fairly intensive strength training session: this pain is the consequence of the body’s production of lactic acid, causing microtearings.
Muscle contractions during physical activity produce lactic acid. When it accumulates in the muscles, it causes aches and pains. Painful athletes are not forced to stop training, but it is always wise to take certain precautions to avoid possible complications
These pains can also occur during infectious diseases such as the flu. They are then due to the many toxins resulting from the destruction of cells by microbes. In both cases, natural remedies can be effective in relieving aches and pains. If you experience daily pain and can’t identify the cause, this is a good place to start.
We are going to propose 11 entirely natural remedies to limit and relieve aches and pains and prevent their appearance.
Hot baths speed up the circulation of blood and thus promote the evacuation of acids accumulated in the muscles. In addition, they make people sweat, which allows many acids to be evacuated with sweat.
Immerse yourself in a bath as hot as possible (but without exaggeration) and stay there for a good half an hour. Go outside and lie comfortably wrapped in a bath towel or sponge bathrobe until the sweating stops. You can perform this ritual once a day.
2-The Essential Oil Of WINTERGREEN
The essential oil of wintergreen has an anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic action. This plant has long been used by Amerindians.
Mix 2 to 3 drops of essential oil with 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil (jojoba for example). Rub the painful areas 2 to 3 times a day.
Essential oil in Wintergreen is not recommended for people allergic to aspirin or taking blood thinners, as well as pregnant women and children under 12 years of age.
3-Devil’s Claw Or Harpagophytum
It is the world’s best-selling medicinal plant for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Devil’s claw is consumed in the form of capsules sold in pharmacies, parapharmacies and some organic stores.
You can take 2 capsules 3 times a day, with water, before meals.
The meadowsweet is an anti-inflammatory plant is diuretic, which calms pain and reduces the concentration of lactic acid in the muscles.
Infuse for 10 minutes 1 teaspoon of dried leaves and flowers in 3 dl of boiling water. Filter. You can drink between 3 to 5 cups a day.
5-A Fango Poultice
This volcanic mineral mud has the property of sucking toxins out of the tissues. In addition, in hot poultice, it activates blood circulation and cellular exchanges in aching muscles.
You can buy a ready-to-use poultice. Warm it for 10 minutes in hot water, then apply it to the area to be treated. Leave it in place until it has lost its heat.
6-Hot Compresses
Warming the area suffering from aches and pains increases blood circulation. The lactic acid created by physical activity is then carried away by the blood to be eliminated by the kidneys.
Soak a fine cloth in lukewarm water, then wring it out lightly. Apply it to the painful area and cover with a cloth so that it does not lose its heat too quickly. Let it work while it is hot. You can repeat the action 3 to 4 times a day.
7-A massage with arnica oil
Arnica is the ideal plant for shock, pain and muscle spasm. You can get it in the form of oil or massage gel in pharmacies and parapharmacies.
Pour oil on the area to be treated and massage gently for a few minutes.
1. Magnesium Oil Or Gel
Simply apply the oil or magnesium gel in massage directly to the painful muscles in case of cramping or if the aches and pains occur after 1 or 2 days. The same goes for tendonitis or tennis-elbow, because this oil has the advantage of relaxing the muscle fibre and relieving microtearings. Magnesium can also be taken by ingestion in capsule form.
2. Cocoa Beans
If you prefer to consume magnesium in a more gourmet way, you can nibble on cocoa beans. You can eat it before and after workout, but if you haven’t played sports for a long time, your muscles will necessarily hurt a little after training! However, magnesium consumption will certainly reduce the intensity of muscle pain.
3. Coconut Water
In order to prevent the pain associated with repeated and excessively intense movements, hydration is essential and drinking a good quantity of coconut water can be life-saving. It is the electrolytes (magnesium, potassium and sodium) it contains that allow faster muscle recovery and prevent dehydration, especially in endurance sports.
4. Coffee
Several studies have shown that moderate coffee intake (2 cups per day) can reduce muscle aches and pains and thus improve muscle recovery. Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors in the body, the molecule that causes muscle pain in response to inflammation.
5. Sodium Bicarbonate
A well-known grandmother’s remedy for relieving contractures is to take a hot bath with 200 g of dietary sodium bicarbonate (also called sodium bicarbonate). Just stay in the bath for 20 to 30 minutes right after your session, then wrap yourself in a well padded bathrobe to activate sweating and drain lactic acid from the muscle.
Whatever the anti-curvature remedy(s) chosen, it is essential to respect 3 basic rules to avoid the latter:
1. warm up before sport,
2. drink small quantities of water during,
3. stretch well after.